County takes on campaign finance reform, audit says Portland needs infrastructure funding and Intel cuts more staff.
Multnomah County Commissioners take on campaign finance reform
The commission is sending a ballot measure to the Multnomah County Circuit Court to determine if it violates the state constitution, Willamette Week reports. The measure, approved by 89% of voters in the 2016 election, places a cap on campaign contributions. The Commissioners say they support the reform but want the measure to serve as a test case in the court and see if the law will be upheld.
Audit finds Portland infrastructure in need of funding
The annual City Auditor report found while the city is in overall good financial health, infrastructure spending should be increased, the Portland Tribune reports. That’s good news for Mayor Ted Wheeler who proposed dedicating more money to infrastructure in his State of the City address last month. Only 33% of the city’s roads are in good condition.
Intel cutting back marketing, finance departments
Intel cut about 15,000 jobs last year to reduce operating costs. The chip maker is still trying to increase its bottom line by consolidating its finance and sales and marketing departments, the Oregonian reports. Intel is still hiring in other departments.
GMO bills dead in committee
Two bills that were deemed alive in the Senate yesterday live no longer, the Statesman Journal reports. The bills would have let local governments ban GMOs and allows landowners to seek economic damages if GMOs were found on their land without permission.
Should the U.S. switch to pre-filed taxes?
Americans reportedly spend more than 6 billion hours preparing their taxes, according to the New York Times. That time suck was deemed unnecessary by Research Editor and Brit native Kim Moore yesterday, who says filing taxes feels like a form of purgatory. The Times argues we should make the switch to pre-filed forms, something Sen. Ron Wyden has lobbied for as well.
Multnomah County considers soda tax
Advocates for a tax on soda began collecting signatures last week with the intent to place their initiative on the November ballot, OPB reports. The plan seeks a tax equal to 1.5 cents per ounce, about 18 cents on a can of soda. The initiative could raise $28 million a year.
Portland gets another food hall
Known as Portland Food Hall, the new cafeteria-style restaurant opens today in downtown, the Oregonian reports. Portland Food Hall is the fourth of its kind to open in the Rose City in the last 18 months.
