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Date ArticleType
10/20/2022 Member News

Portland Charter Reform: Vote ‘No’ for a Better ‘Yes’

HBA urges a ‘no’ vote on the City of Portland’s charter reform ballot measure in November, while taking the time to improve what the Charter Reform Commission carefully crafted for another vote in May 2023.

Recognizing the long-standing dysfunction in Portland’s current commission-form of government, HBA was an early proponent of charter reform. We participated in many discussions, paid for polling, and worked with stakeholders in an effort to arrive at a sensible model of governance that would improve efficiency and accountability in city hall. Unfortunately, the current ballot measure being proposed will only amplify the dysfunction.

That’s why our Government Affairs Committee voted to formally oppose Measure 26-228 which will appear on the November ballot. Others, including The Oregonian, Willamette Week, Portland Business Alliance, Representative Rob Nosse, Kathleen Saadat, and Vadim Mozyrsky agree that the measure, in its current form, is flawed and in need of improvement.

“Portland doesn’t need a unique system. We need a system that we know will work. Unfortunately, the proposal engineered by the charter commission introduces deeply flawed provisions that threaten to make city government even more dysfunctional and less accountable. Portland’s government absolutely needs change from our current system. But voters shouldn’t be pressured into adopting something even worse.”

- Oregonian Editorial Board, October 9, 2022

“One of the principal criticisms of Portland’s current government is that no one is clearly in charge. This proposal would offer no greater clarity. In fact, it’s likely to increase the confusion.”

- Willamette Week Editorial Board, October 19, 2022

At the same time, we want to signal our strong support for the alternative reform measure released by Commissioner Mingus Mapps, which would deliver the change we need without implementing an experimental system untried by any other city in the world. This sensible alternative still includes hiring an effective city administrator, expanding council to 7 single-member districts, having an involved mayor, and using ranked-choice voting. As an association of members who work every day on an issue as critical as housing, there is little doubt that this proven model of democracy is worth the wait until May 2023.

Please join us in supporting the “Vote No for a Better Yes” campaign being led by The Partnership for Common Sense Government, a grassroots organization advocating for democratic, fiscally responsible, and transparent government reform in Portland. We can all agree Portland needs change, but we can’t risk our city’s future on experimental policies. We need a proven solution that will make Portland “the city that works” once again.

In partnership,
Preston Korst
prestonk@hbapdx.org