PDX Real
@PDXReal1 • 25,022 subscribers
Community journalism rooted in Portland, Oregon. Reporting for people who want the real story. Connecting dots others overlook.
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What a day for Portland, Oregon! More than 62,000 signatures gathered in just a few short weeks. Today, those petitions were officially delivered for verification. If 41,000 signatures are verified, Portlanders will have the opportunity this November to vote on minimum police staffing, funded by a portion of surplus from the Portland Clean Energy Fund revenue. Congratulations to everyone who helped make this happen!
PDX Real47,600 views • 6 days ago
One of the most interesting political fights in Portland right now isn’t happening between conservatives and progressives. It’s happening inside Portland’s own political left. Today, about 75 Democratic Socialists of America and public union members protested outside the Moda Center during a Portland Metro Chamber event featuring business leaders, elected officials, and new Trail Blazers owner Tom Dundon. The protest was promoted and attended by city councilors Koyama Lane, Morillo & Green was simple: no public money for billionaires. But the issue is more complicated than a protest sign. Tom Dundon bought the Trail Blazers. He did not buy the Moda Center. The arena is owned by the City of Portland. And after more than 30 years, many of the building's major systems—from bathrooms and elevators to kitchens, technology, and other infrastructure—are due for significant upgrades. As a matter of fact, the facility is actually the worst in the NBA, a league where other cities have invested billions into their facilities and infrastructure over the last decade. As the protest raged outside, Dundon calmly told those on hand at the meeting that Portland poses a huge challenge due to its high tax rates, something he wouldn’t have to contend with in places such as Nashville or Austin. So, the question isn't simply whether taxpayers should subsidize a billionaire. It's whether Portland should invest in a city-owned asset to keep the Blazers in Portland. The financing is also more nuanced than many people realize. One proposal under discussion would use bonds backed by tax revenue generated by the team and arena activity, including income taxes tied to player salaries and related economic activity. Supporters argue that the arena helps generate the revenue used to repay those bonds while preserving jobs, tourism, and economic activity downtown. Critics argue that it's still public financing and that those public dollars should be directed toward other priorities instead. It's also worth noting who was inside the event. The protesters weren't just demonstrating against the Business Chamber or a billionaire team owner. They were protesting an event featuring liberals such as Senate President Rob Wagner, Senator Kate Lieber, Mayor Keith Wilson, and Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson. JVP is particularly interesting because she has often aligned with many priorities championed by the DSA and Portland's leftists. And based on the signs, this wasn't just about the Moda Center. Protesters raised concerns about workers' rights, corporate influence, PCEF funding, data centers, social housing, and more. Today’s protest is bigger than financing the Moda Center remodel. It's about two very different visions for Portland. One believes strategic public-private investment is necessary to rebuild and revitalize Portland and keep major civic assets viable. The other believes public resources should be directed first toward government-led programs and social priorities rather than partnerships with private businesses. That growing divide inside Portland's governing coalition may end up shaping the city's future just as much as any election. Special thanks for the DSA for the lunch and drinks today.
PDX Real26,594 views • 18 days ago
This morning, the City of Portland released a police staffing report confirming what many Portlanders already know. • High-priority emergency response times have climbed to about 20 minutes. • Many crimes — including child abuse, domestic violence, fraud, and property crime — aren’t getting timely follow-up. • About 80% of child abuse tips receive no assigned investigator. • Portland is currently around 1.2 officers per 1,000 residents. The Safer Portland Initiative would move the city toward 2.0 officers per 1,000. The Safer Portland petition has one more week to gather signatures. If you live in Portland, we encourage you to make time to sign this week and help put it on the November ballot. Visit for a nearby location - OR print, sign and return a petition. More information at this dashboard:
PDX Real12,824 views • 16 days ago
Saturday, a 17-year-old parked her car while thrifting in the area. A trans female in a tent threw a stick at her and called her transphobic. She ignored him and continued to her destination. When she came back to her car this is what it looked like. The person, Vivian Shemansky has a significant criminal record, was arrested after the incident, and has already been released. The car has been declared a total. #portlandhomeless #portlandvandalism #portlandlookslikeshit #portlandpolice #portlandvandalism
PDX Real265,347 views • 2 years ago
Every time local politicians gaslight you about how “Portland is fine,” they should have to watch these dozen or so business owners speak emotionally this Wednesday at city council about what they are exposed to just trying to keep their businesses open. Worth 15 min of your time
PDX Real53,425 views • 9 months ago
This is exactly the situation in Portland right now: The only “trick or treater” who came to our house tonight was at 9:30, and was some whacked out junkie who was trying to use the holiday for what, I don’t really know. Kids aren’t out tonight because it’s not safe.
PDX Real47,018 views • 8 months ago
Oregonians are signing the gas-tax referendum by the tens of thousands — yesterday Governor Kotek answered with an “emergency” order that will hike fuel costs even more. Boutique fuel. Higher prices. More mandates. This isn’t climate policy — it’s a financial squeeze on working people and rural families. But here’s what they didn’t expect: Oregonians are organized. And we’re not backing down. Statewide signature push this Saturday. Find a petition. Sign it. Tell your neighbors. Game on, Oregon. Visit to volunteer or find a signing location.
PDX Real44,017 views • 7 months ago
Oregon now has the 4th-highest gas prices in the nation. Not an accident. Not “just the market.” Policy. Executive orders and legislative bills with Tina Kotek fingerprints all over it. And until Salem stops pushing energy costs higher, every Oregonian will keep paying for it — at the pump, on deliveries, and in their utility bills.
PDX Real30,896 views • 7 months ago
Thousands came to the Christmas tree lighting — and many told me parts of the program felt like political messaging that was out of place and inappropriate for a family event. Why are our public traditions being pulled into ideology and virtue signaling instead of serving the community? Portland deserves events that unite us, not moments that push someone’s narrative.
PDX Real22,861 views • 7 months ago
It has been reported by sources that 400,000 voters are earmarked for ineligibility from active voter rolls in the state of Oregon. This is an astronomical 13% of total voters in the state of Oregon. Both Oregon’s AG, Dan Rayfield, and SOS Tobias Read have slow-rolled the process of the federal government’s attempt at cleaning up voter rolls across the US. Oregon is one of the latest three states being sued over refusal to allow the states rolls to be inspected . Harmeet K. Dhillon
PDX Real15,828 views • 6 months ago
Special Report: We take a deep dive on Oregon's HB 2021 which set a drop dead Net Zero date of 2040, meaning ALL electricity in the state will have to be generated by renewable sources (wind and solar). We interviewed US House Rep Congresswoman Maxine Dexter , as well as Cascade Policy Institute CEO John Charles, and International energy expert Kathryn Porter for their perspectives. What we found out is that if the state actually commits to this program, it will cost the state at least $1 trillion dollars over the next 15 years, with end users - the general public - footing the bill. Also, even if Oregon proceeds with this dangerous and costly policy, it will have zero impact on global emissions.
PDX Real14,626 views • 6 months ago
Man witnesses a homeless man brandishing a knife chase a tourist walking down the street in downtown Portland. The police show up, but don’t get out of their cars to arrest the man who they know by name (Steven). The police claim there is nothing they can do about him.
PDX Real48,581 views • 3 years ago