What Portland Is Actually Arguing About

Six subjects that carry real weight. Each asks a question and answers it from the council record — the votes, the promises, and the steps that were never taken.

Bull Run filtration and water rates

Portland is spending over a billion dollars on water treatment. Who approved it, and does the money reconcile?

  • 46 meetings
  • 16 recorded votes
  • 2 deadlines passed with no delivery found
  • 2 promises with nobody named
  • $1,290,000,000 on the record

Zenith Energy and the CEI Hub

A fossil fuel terminal changed hands on the city's river. What did council require of the buyer, and what did it drop?

  • 58 meetings
  • 3 recorded votes, 1 failed
  • 4 deadlines passed with no delivery found
  • 8 promises with nobody named
  • $405,720 on the record

Police oversight

Portland voted for independent police oversight. Why is there still nobody running it?

  • 45 meetings
  • 6 recorded votes
  • 7 deadlines passed with no delivery found
  • 7 promises with nobody named

Homelessness and shelter

The most discussed subject in council. How much of it has ever reached a vote?

  • 94 meetings
  • 7 recorded votes
  • 6 deadlines passed with no delivery found
  • 2 promises with nobody named
  • $2.6 million on the record

The budget gap

Portland is closing a nine-figure deficit. What is being cut, and who decided?

  • 45 meetings
  • 10 recorded votes
  • 5 deadlines passed with no delivery found
  • 3 promises with nobody named
  • $50 million on the record

Downtown vacancy

Empty offices and empty storefronts. What has the city committed to doing about it, and did the work arrive?

  • 37 meetings
  • 11 recorded votes
  • 4 deadlines passed with no delivery found
  • 1 promises with nobody named
  • $58 million on the record