"This is so wildly different."

Say what you will about Portland’s first budget season under its new form of government—at least it wasn’t boring.

City Hall reporters Shane Dixon Kavanaugh (The Oregonian), Sophie Peel (Willamette Week), and Alex Zielinski (OPB) take us inside the debates, alliances, and surprise twists that shaped the process.

Looking for a new show to binge this summer? The City of Portland’s budget hearings had all the makings of a good drama — and they lasted about as long as four average Netflix seasons.

If that’s not your idea of entertainment, our three guests sat through it all so you don’t have to. In episode 16 of Stump Talk, Sophie, Alex and Shane recount the biggest stories, highlight the best quotes, and share the kinds of details only reporters would know—like which councilor has a picture of The Big Lebowski in his office.

You can catch the final budget adoption vote here on June 18.

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Taking a Short Recess

Rose City Reform is taking a break in July. In the meantime, check out our guests’ reporting on the ever-evolving affairs at Portland City Hall.

Enjoy the sunshine — and see you in August!

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Stump Talk is produced and edited by Jon Garcia of Lake Productions.

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Willamette Week

• Budget Season Reveals Two Clear Voting Blocs on City Council

• Council Passes Amendment That Unknowingly Puts Proposed Budget $734,000 in the Red

• Green and Novick Find a Way to Keep Metro Chamber From Opposing Future Parks Levy, for Now

• Councilors Brought Mayor Concerns About Text Thread and Two Photos Shared by Prosper Portland Staff

• Director of Prosper Portland Will Step Down at Mayor Wilson’s Request

• Portland City Council Hits the Links to Find Spare Change

• Prosper Portland Dodges a Big Cut for Now, but Council Takes Aim at Lack of Agency Oversight

• Portland City Council Diverts $1.9 Million in New Police Funding to Parks

The Oregonian:

• Portland City Council, with lots of talk but few major tweaks, nears final passage of mayor’s budget

• ‘Who the hell are they serving?’: Portland agency’s staff skewered councilors as budget hung in the balance, group chat shows

• Prosper Portland leader to resign amid fractious budget fight

• Portland City Council diverts new police dollars to parks during marathon budget meeting

OPB:

• Portland City Council scrambles to balance budget in marathon meeting

• On a dragon boat team, Portland’s new city councilors learn how to paddle in the same direction

• Portland councilors vote to use new police funding to maintain parks

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