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Updated July 28
Portland Charter Commission hears competing views at first hearing
The 12-member commission will have a year to draft recommendations to present to voters for final approval.
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During its first round of public comment, the Portland Charter Commission heard a variety of suggestions to guide its work, with some advocating for bold sweeping changes such as defunding the police and establishing a labor department, while others encouraged the commission to approach its work more broadly, maintaining flexibility in terms of policy and an open mind toward dissenting views.
Heading into Wednesday’s hearing, the battle lines were clearly drawn as two prominent opposing forces urged members to speak up. The Democratic Socialists of America urged supporters to help make “Portland’s charter the most radical socialist charter in the country,” while the Portland Regional Chamber of Commerce warned its supporters that the commission was dominated by ideologues who