Six legislative priorities for the Rose City

The Portland City Council approved its legislative agenda yesterday. Here’s what you need to know. The priorities, assembled by the Office of Government Relationship for council review, might be read as a rejection of policies proposed by President-elect Donald Trump. In his preface, Mayor Ted Wheeler described the priorities as follows: affordable housing, transportation funding, improving air quality and advocating for rural communities. Click through the slideshow to read what Portland will focus on in the coming months. After decades of disinvestment, many U.S. cities consider infrastructure to be at the top of the priorities list. As anyone stuck in Portland traffic knows, the Rose City has yet to put in place the transportation infrastructure necessary to deal with growth. Securing funding for projects heads up the list. The city will continue to support access to health care and will oppose preemption or limitation of health care coverage. The city already affirmed its Sanctuary City status last year amid threats to deport illegal immigrants by Trump. Portland intends to make this designation a legislative priority as well via oppospe any action intended to limit federal funding based on sanctuary status. Marijuana, of course, is never far from mind. Potland will advocate for federal regulations, including a loosening of banking rules, to protect the local marijuana industry. Portland wants to secure funding to develop a ShakeAlert system, which includes installing seismic sensors statewide. Consider it one more step toward preparing for the Cascadia Earthquake. Portland will advocate for affordable housing funding and oppose any attempts to weaken the Fair Housing Act. Portland will also urge the U.S. Interagency Committee on Homelessness to work toward a solution for homelessness. Last but not least: Portland will advocate for substance abuse and mental health services funding. After decades of disinvestment, many U.S. cities consider infrastructure to be at the top of the priorities list. As anyone stuck in Portland traffic knows, the Rose City has yet to put in place the transportation infrastructure necessary to deal with growth. Securing funding for projects heads up the list. The city will continue to support access to health care and will oppose preemption or limitation of health care coverage. The city already affirmed its Sanctuary City status last year amid threats to deport illegal immigrants by Trump. Portland intends to make this designation a legislative priority as well via oppospe any action intended to limit federal funding based on sanctuary status. Marijuana, of course, is never far from mind. Potland will advocate for federal regulations, including a loosening of banking rules, to protect the local marijuana industry. Portland wants to secure funding to develop a ShakeAlert system, which includes installing seismic sensors statewide. Consider it one more step toward preparing for the Cascadia Earthquake. Portland will advocate for affordable housing funding and oppose any attempts to weaken the Fair Housing Act. Portland will also urge the U.S. Interagency Committee on Homelessness to work toward a solution for homelessness. Last but not least: Portland will advocate for substance abuse and mental health services funding. Infrastructure-426.jpg health_care-427.jpg Sanctuary_city-428.jpg Marijuana-430.jpg Earthquake-429.jpg Affordable_housing-425.jpg