Alex Zielinski

But, why? Portland city govt reporter, Oregon Public Broadcasting
Past words: @portlandmercury @sacurrent @wcp
Past lives: TX, DC, CA
📬 [email protected]

[Andrew Theen @andrewtheen]

Trail Blazers to Portland: Public cash ‘only solution’ for renovating Moda Center (story via @alex_zee) https://t.co/JMLZ7frvTR

[Alex Zielinski @alex_zee]

On that note, if you live in D1 and want to talk about representation -- or know community leaders I need to know -- get at me: azielinski @ opb .org.

[Alex Zielinski @alex_zee]

I've been spending time out in East Portland's District 1 to capture what it looks like for a long-ignored part of town to finally have representation in City Hall. I'll be chipping away at stories over the coming months. Here's my first snapshot:
https://t.co/gLmBOvn8eg

[Alex Zielinski @alex_zee]

Mayor Keith Wilson and Gov. Tina Kotek convened a meeting Thursday with housing developers, construction firms and other city officials to float solutions to the city’s slow pace of housing development.

“We’re struggling here in Portland,” said Wilson.

https://t.co/ADPMvCHuO0

[Alex Zielinski @alex_zee]

Changes are coming for Portland's behavioral health first response team, signaling a step toward formalizing a program that’s struggled to get its footing.

(and both unions representing PSR and police agree this is the right move)

https://t.co/yzRLUfoAhu

[Dirk VanderHart @dirquez]

Positive news for lawmakers preparing a new state budget this morning. The state economist says they can expect an extra $350 million to spend. #orleg #orpol

[Alex Zielinski @alex_zee]

The intrepid @TroyWB braved the storm last night to document another chaotic event: The small town of Estacada using Trump rhetoric to dismantle its DEI committee.

https://t.co/eanJXv6pLC

[Alex Zielinski @alex_zee]

Elected leaders are fuming after Multnomah County announced a $104M budget shortfall in its homeless services department – and asked local and state jurisdictions to foot the bill.

https://t.co/IqI172IXN4

[Alex Zielinski @alex_zee]

A small update: There is now a warrant out for Kimura's arrest, as she has not yet turned herself in (after being notified by the DA's office).

[Alex Zielinski @alex_zee]

Longtime East Portland community leader Arlene Kimura, 79, was indicted on 10 felony charges & 4 misdemeanors, ranging from aggravated theft to falsifying business records.

https://t.co/ssrth02cEk

[Alex Zielinski @alex_zee]

Longtime East Portland community leader Arlene Kimura, 79, was indicted on 10 felony charges & 4 misdemeanors, ranging from aggravated theft to falsifying business records.

https://t.co/ssrth02cEk

[Alex Zielinski @alex_zee]

The goal of Mayor Wilson's plan to end unsheltered homelessness is universally supported among local service providers.

But his plan raises questions among those who are perhaps the most familiar with the work of operating a successful shelter in PDX:

https://t.co/vYpigGIuPH

[Alex Zielinski @alex_zee]

Portland Mayor Wilson shows his homelessness plan isn't *just* about nighttime shelters: Today he announced plans to open 50 shelter beds for people seeking addiction treatment, at a facility open 24/7.

https://t.co/oZIE9SpX5v

[Alex Zielinski @alex_zee]

According to Human Resources Director Tracy Warren, the city and the Local 189 chapter AFSCME reached an agreement around 2 a.m. Thursday — 17 hours after the two parties started the day’s mediation session.

https://t.co/7UMfXXvN4C

[Lillian Mongeau Hughes @lrmongeau]

While working in Gresham, Kevin Dahlgren used money meant for supplies for homeless people to buy his own groceries and gas. "In court, Dahlgren admitted that he 'made up identities and wrote the made-up names on receipts' and did so 'with the intent to deceive.'"

[Alex Zielinski @alex_zee]

In 2021, Portland's ombudsman office alerted city leaders that the city's property maintenance rules disproportionately impact homeowners of color.

At the time, elected officials pledged swift reforms. Little has changed in the years since.

https://t.co/uFMzaKD7vs

[Alex Zielinski @alex_zee]

Background: https://t.co/BpslCrMASv

[Alex Zielinski @alex_zee]

A union representing 200 city of Portland employees (the District Council of Trade Unions) gave the city a 10-day strike warning today. Meaning workers can walk off the job as soon as Feb 6. (Stay tuned: Later this week, 1,000 AFSCME city workers may decide to join them.)

[Alex Zielinski @alex_zee]

@richchever FWIW, his pitch is to end UNSHELTERED homelessness, not homelessness as a whole.

[Alex Zielinski @alex_zee]

Mayor Wilson previewed his plan to end unsheltered homelessness at a morning meeting with regional leaders. Some questioned the low cost ($28M/year), others applauded the bold strategy.

Wilson will hear city counci's feedback at a 2 pm today.

https://t.co/vgZGtloTbr

[Alex Zielinski @alex_zee]

Two Portland unions representing city employees are getting closer to walking off the job in Feb over a breakdown in contract negotiations.

AFSCME will vote later this week to authorize a strike; DCTU already voted in favor.

https://t.co/BpslCrMASv