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Alex Zielinski

@alexzee.bsky.social
8.4K followers 491 following 685 posts

Portland city politics reporter, @opb.org Past lives: CA, DC, TX 📬 azielinski@opb.org Signal: alex_zee.03 www.opb.org/author/alex-zielinski/

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Alex Zielinski @alexzee.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
The Metro Chamber has made good on their promise to sue the city over its arts tax adjustment:
opb.org
Portland Metro Chamber CEO sues city over arts tax increase
The complaint argues that Portland City Council doesn’t have the authority to increase taxes.
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Alex Zielinski @alexzee.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Filing reports from the "GoPDX" PAC show the direct link between the business-led United for Portland PAC and a trio of new independent expenditures (GoPDX, Ditch Mitch & fix multco). These are the PACs behind a grip of billboards bashing Councilor Green / supporting Commissioner Brim-Edwards.
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Alex Zielinski @alexzee.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
"OPB’s poll suggested the governor has only a slightly better image than Trump among Oregon voters: a 38% favorability rating to the president’s 37%."
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Alex Zielinski @alexzee.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
When asked initially who they were most likely to vote for, 46% of voters chose Drazan and 44% named Kotek. An additional 3% picked Brett Smith, the lone third-party candidate in the race, and 8% were undecided.
opb.org
OPB poll shows Oregon governor’s race virtually deadlocked
The poll shows Republican state Sen. Christine Drazan with a slim lead over Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek, though it was within the survey’s margin of error.
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Alex Zielinski @alexzee.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
How Washington County politics reflect a bigger, nationwide shift in the Democratic party:
opb.org
Data centers, ICE and the DSA: Election tensions rise in Washington County
Local races in Portland’s suburbs are animated by some of the key political issues sweeping the nation.
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Alex Zielinski @alexzee.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
We're approaching the second election under Portland's new ranked-choice system (and districts!). What have candidates and local politics watchers learned from the first election? It's a little 😫, a little 🤔 and mostly a lot of 🤷.
opb.org
‘I’m not sleeping easy’: Uncertainty and unknowns prevail as candidates head into Portland’s second ranked choice council election
Two years after Portland's first ranked choice election, half of the council seats are back on the ballot. This time, candidates have a recent election to study – but they still can’t be sure what the...
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Alex Zielinski @alexzee.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
As it’s been pointed out, this wouldn’t be unprecedented. SOS fined a PPB commander who criticized a DA up for reelection in 2021: katu.com/news/local/o...
katu.com
Oregon secretary of state proposes fine for PPB commander who criticized DA Mike Schmidt
The Oregon secretary of state issued a notice of a proposed civil fine to a Portland police commander who came under fire for comments at a neighborhood meeting earlier this year. The notice said Por...
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Alex Zielinski @alexzee.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
At least two people have filed complaints against Day with the Secretary of State’s office in the past week. Both alleged that Day used his position as a public employee to “promote or oppose” a person’s election campaign, in violation of a state law.
opb.org
Portland Police chief accused of violating state law by criticizing city councilor’s past tweets
Did Portland Police Chief Bob Day break the law when he criticized a city councilor last week? That’s a question several Portlanders are asking state officials to answer.
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Reposted by Alex Zielinski
OPB @opb.org · 18/09/2026
The number of people living unsheltered in the county has continued to tick upward, according to Multnomah County data. The city has no immediate plans to open new shelters this year.
opb.org
Portland’s largest overnight homeless shelter has closed
Portland’s largest overnight-only shelter is closing its doors Friday, a year after opening.
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Reposted by Alex Zielinski
OPB @opb.org · 17/09/2026
Harrington’s announcement follows condemnation and calls for her resignation after she raised her middle finger in an obscene gesture directed toward fellow commissioner Nafisa Fai during a Tuesday work session.
opb.org
Washington County chair to step back from leadership role after obscene gesture pushback
The move comes after Washington County Chair Kathryn Harrington made the gesture toward fellow commissioner Nafisa Fai during a county commission work session.
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Reposted by Alex Zielinski
April Ehrlich @aprilehrlich.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Data centers are consuming a quarter of Oregon’s power. www.opb.org/article/2026...
opb.org
Oregon data centers by the numbers: 111 facilities consume nearly one-quarter of state’s power, according to new report
A first-of-its-kind report details the footprint of the controversial facilities.
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Alex Zielinski @alexzee.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
This week in important, pre-council meeting captions. (This one was muttered by Council Prez Dunphy.)
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Alex Zielinski @alexzee.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Portlanders say feeling more represented by city councilors than they did in 2024 -- but less than they did last year -- in a new survey:
opb.org
Survey: Portlanders don’t feel represented by newly representative form of government
Portlanders are feeling iffy about their new government.
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Reposted by Alex Zielinski
OPB @opb.org · 05/09/2026
The Quileute Tribe was not consulted by either the author or filmmakers during the creation of the popular fantasy books and subsequent films. Now, Twilight fans are trying to rectify the lack of financial compensation by raising funds for the Quileute Tribe’s Move to Higher Ground Project.
opb.org
Twilight fandom helps fund Quileute Tribe’s move to higher ground
Fans of the 2000s pop-culture phenomena are using online communities to fundraise for the tribe that says they never saw a cent after having their likeness used.
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Reposted by Alex Zielinski
OPB @opb.org · 05/09/2026
Advocacy group Portland for Palestine plans to hold a rally at the Japanese American Historical Plaza at the Portland Waterfront on Saturday Sept. 5 at 1 p.m. to bring attention to Tareq Zakarneh’s case.
opb.org
Palestinian Portland-area resident faces deportation to West Bank amid escalating settler violence
A Saturday protest amplifies fears Portland resident Tareq Zakarneh will be persecuted by the Israeli military if deported to the occupied Palestinian territory.
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Alex Zielinski @alexzee.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
The opposition campaign to Portland's participatory budgeting ballot measure has launched: www.protectourcityservices.org
protectourcityservices.org
Protect Our City Services | NO on Measure 26-267 | Portland, Oregon
Measure 26-267 would divert millions of our tax dollars away from essential city services, including fire and emergency response, parks, 911 dispatch, and homelessness services. Vote NO by November 3.
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Alex Zielinski @alexzee.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Icymi:
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Alex Zielinski @alexzee.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Portland CIty Council just unanimously voted to advance this plan to work with Albina Vision Trust on redeveloping land near the Moda Center. (It wasn't clear this would be unanimous when it was at committee). www.opb.org/article/2026...
opb.org
Portland councilors advance plan to develop city land adjacent to Moda Center
As the future of Portland’s Moda Center remains in flux, city leaders are looking for other ways to redevelop public land near the NBA arena.
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Reposted by Alex Zielinski
Antonio Sierra @antoniosierra.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
A judge dismissed the lawsuit over Pendleton's camping policies. However, he called the original (now repealed) policy "a return to fragmentary, exclusionary practices more reminiscent of the 1700’s."
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Alex Zielinski @alexzee.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Today in important, pre-council meeting captions:
A screenshot from a portland city council meeting livestream. Caption reads "Okay, Thanks. I know it smells like Tuna in here."A screenshot from a portland city council meeting livestream. Caption reads "Tuna for work. But you're good. Can someone mute?"
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Alex Zielinski @alexzee.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
"If feminism means each of us finding our unique power, and helping other women do the same, Dolly Parton certainly has done both." -- Gloria Steinem (Could be said the same of Gloria) RIP to two revolutionaries.
msmagazine.com
Dolly Parton’s Unique Feminist Power, as Told by Gloria Steinem (January 1987)
Woman of the Year Dolly Parton’s Unique Feminist Power, as Told by Gloria Steinem (From the January 1987 issue of Ms. Magazine)
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Alex Zielinski @alexzee.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
The plan to rename Portland’s Chavez Blvd appears to be advancing easily, despite pushback from some neighbors.
opb.org
Portland poised to rename Cesar Chavez Boulevard after farmworker movement
The name change comes in the wake of a sweeping New York Times investigation into the civil rights leader’s past.
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Reposted by Alex Zielinski
Willamette Week @wweek.com · 02/09/2026
Beginning July 1, partly as a result of Gresham and the neighboring Rockwood Water People’s Utility District leaving the customer base of the Bull Run Reservoir, water rates in Portland increased 8.1%.
wweek.com
Portland Water Rates Will Climb as the City’s Largest Wholesale Customers Disconnect From Bull Run Reservoir
Garrett Andrews
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Reposted by Alex Zielinski
OPB @opb.org · 02/09/2026
A clarinet player whose arrest at a protest was caught on national television last October was sentenced to time served and a year of supervised release on Tuesday.
opb.org
Clarinet player arrested at Portland ICE protest sentenced to one year supervised release
Oriana Korol and her family said they felt bittersweet about the misdemeanor conviction, after initially facing felony charges.
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Alex Zielinski @alexzee.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
I also apologize to the venn diagram of K-pop fans and OPB newsletter subscribers for potentially being mislead by this headline:
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Alex Zielinski @alexzee.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Took a break from the politics of City Hall to take a peek behind the curtain at the folks who've been running the show for years. How has the gov't overhaul felt for those longtime workers?
opb.org
The behind-the-scenes players at Portland City Hall adjust to new normal
How Portland's government overhaul affected those working behind the scenes in City Hall.
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Alex Zielinski @alexzee.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
TBD on what this means for PBOT leadership.
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Alex Zielinski @alexzee.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
For those following the ins/outs in Portland City Hall: Priya Dhanapal is stepping down as deputy city admin overseeing public works. We saw a similar exit for former public safety DCA Bob Cozzie earlier this year. PBOT Director Millicent Williams will step in as interim public works DCA.
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Reposted by Alex Zielinski
OPB @opb.org · 21/08/2026
Safer Portland accuses elections staffers of tossing out numerous sheets of signatures required to qualify a petition for the November ballot.
opb.org
Portland police ballot initiative backers sue local elections officials
Backers of a stalled initiative to use Portland’s clean energy funds to hire police officers filed a lawsuit on Thursday accusing local elections officials of discrimination and calling for an independent signature recount.
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Alex Zielinski @alexzee.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
In San Antonio, councilors just voted down a proposal to ask the public to vote on whether to spend nearly $500m on an new NBA arena. A lot of similarities (to Portland's Moda debate) in the discourse: "Completing this arena is widely viewed as a necessity to keep the Spurs in San Antonio."
nytimes.com
San Antonio City Council rejects mayor’s motion for re-vote on Spurs arena deal
The Spurs’ new arena deal cleared its latest hurdle Monday, when the city council denied a motion to reopen the funding to a public vote.
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Alex Zielinski @alexzee.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
How Pendleton leaders are taking lessons from Portland on addressing homelessness, by thee @antoniosierra.bsky.social :
opb.org
Pendleton leaders tour Portland homelessness programs
In the midst of local controversy, Pendleton officials see possibilities in Portland’s programs.
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Alex Zielinski @alexzee.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Per the city, the Blazers have agreed to meet and discuss lease terms with Portland officials Monday.
opb.org
Trail Blazers will meet with Portland to discuss lease negotiations Monday
After months of back and forth, representatives from the Portland Trail Blazers have agreed to discuss the terms of negotiating a 20-year lease agreement with the city of Portland.
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Alex Zielinski @alexzee.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Someone described this vote to me today as "the end of the beginning." Anyway! This story will never be over. Here's where things landed:
opb.org
Portland City Council approves term sheet for Moda Center renovations
The vote sets the stage for months of negotiations on a long-term lease and the nearly $600 million renovation project.
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Alex Zielinski @alexzee.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
As the future of Portland’s Moda Center remains in flux, city leaders are looking for other ways to redevelop public land near the NBA arena. Yesterday, councilors hesitantly advanced a plan to partner with Albina Vision Trust on developing land adjacent to the Moda Center.
opb.org
Portland councilors advance plan to develop city land adjacent to Moda Center
As the future of Portland’s Moda Center remains in flux, city leaders are looking for other ways to redevelop public land near the NBA arena.
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Alex Zielinski @alexzee.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
What to know before today's Portland City Council term sheet vote. (One thing NOT mentioned: New proposal on the table today to ask Blazers for $2M in annual rent as part of starting negotiations)
opb.org
5 things to know before Wednesday’s vote on Moda Center negotiations
Here’s what you need to know ahead of the meeting.
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Reposted by Alex Zielinski
OPB @opb.org · 10/08/2026
On Wednesday, city councilors are scheduled to cast their final vote on a term sheet laying out the city’s desired framework for negotiations with the Blazers. If it goes as planned, a deal could be reached by December. If it gets delayed, some fear the entire deal could fall apart.
opb.org
5 things to know before Wednesday’s vote on Moda Center negotiations
Here’s what you need to know ahead of the meeting.
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Reposted by Alex Zielinski
OPB @opb.org · 10/08/2026
For the Solis family, the days are too busy to dwell. At night, reality sinks in that they're one of hundreds in the Spokane area who've lost their home to a series of wildfires. As they figure out what’s next, access to emergency information in Spanish has been critical for them.
opb.org
‘Las casas empezaron a explotar’: Spokane Latino-led groups rally disaster resources in Spanish
Community groups, from a local radio program to nonprofits, are stepping in to support Spanish-speaking families navigating fire impacts.
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Alex Zielinski @alexzee.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
The basics: -Mult Co approved $101 M investment in Moda, largely from a rental car tax. -Portland City Council didn't approve *any* of the 18 proposed amendments to the term sheet (final vote 8/12). -There's still no clarity on how Portland will be paying its share. -No one is having a good time.
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Alex Zielinski @alexzee.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
A cool thing to do when returning to work after a week off is to immediately spend 8 straight hours watching public meetings. The result:
opb.org
Portland and Multnomah County set table for Moda Center negotiations
With deadlines fast approaching, Portland and Multnomah County officials Thursday hammered out the framework for their looming negotiations with the Portland Trail Blazers over Moda Center renovations...
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Alex Zielinski @alexzee.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
I did a breakdown on the city's negotiators on the Moda deal last month (linked here). Worth noting Multnomah County announced their Moda negotiator today: Longtime Blazers biz strategist Chris Oxley (& board prez of Sport Oregon, the group lobbying the city/county to keep the Blazers in Portland).
opb.org
Who is leading Portland’s Moda Center negotiations with the Blazers?
Here’s what you need to know about the contractors the city tapped to lead these talks.
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Alex Zielinski @alexzee.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Returning to work tomorrow after a glorious week off. Here to celebrate @dirquez.bsky.social’s excellent coverage of the Moda debacle in my absence. Get caught up here:
opb.org
Portland City Council gets an earful as it contemplates Moda Center deal
Hours of public testimony Wednesday revealed divergent takes on how the city should negotiate with the Trail Blazers.
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Reposted by Alex Zielinski
Willamette Week @wweek.com · 28/07/2026
Secretary of State Tobias Read sent a letter to the Portland City Auditor on Tuesday demanding greater rigor, after the backers of a controversial initiative petition leveled a bevy of allegations against the city over its signature-verification process.
wweek.com
Secretary of State Read to City Auditor: Clean Up Your Elections Division
Sophie Peel
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Reposted by Alex Zielinski
OPB @opb.org · 27/07/2026
Oregon currently has dozens of active, large fires burning statewide, covering more than 1 million acres.
opb.org
Oregon wildfires explode over weekend with no signs of slowing down
People on the Warm Springs Reservation have evacuated, and other communities in Central and Eastern Oregon are threatened as more than 1 million acres in Oregon have been consumed by wildfires.
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Alex Zielinski @alexzee.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
A former staffer for Portland City Councilor Candace Avalos claims she was fired in retaliation for reporting sexual harassment at work. And she’s planning to sue.
opb.org
City staffer threatens to sue Portland councilor over alleged retaliatory firing
A former staffer for Portland City Councilor Candace Avalos claims she was fired in retaliation for reporting sexual harassment at work. And she’s planning to sue.
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Reposted by Alex Zielinski
OPB @opb.org · 27/07/2026
Have the Blazers responded to the city’s term sheet? Will Portland address the Blazers’ legal concerns? OPB sat down with three of the key city officials at the negotiating table to get answers to these questions and more.
opb.org
As Moda Center deal looms, Portland city officials at the center of negotiations weigh in
On Thursday, the Portland City Council will hold its first public meeting on its term sheet for renovating the arena. OPB asked three city officials to weigh in on where the deal stands.
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Alex Zielinski @alexzee.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Ahead of this Thursday's public mtg on the city's Moda Center deal, here are some answers to outstanding questions. (Some new stuff from city officials -- and new answers from the Blazers -- in here.)
opb.org
As Moda Center deal looms, Portland city officials at the center of negotiations weigh in
On Thursday, the Portland City Council will hold its first public meeting on its term sheet for renovating the arena. OPB asked three city officials to weigh in on where the deal stands.
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Alex Zielinski @alexzee.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Portland's WNBA team has joined the Moda Center chat. “Equitable access means women athletes get the same caliber of infrastructure as their male counterparts, full stop.”
opb.org
Portland’s WNBA team pushes the county to invest in Moda Center renovations
For the first time, the Portland Fire publicly weighed in on whether public money should go to the Portland Trail Blazers to renovate the Moda Center.
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Alex Zielinski @alexzee.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Mayor's First Tiebreaker Vote™️
opb.org
Portland City Council saves 30 jobs from August layoffs in contentious budget vote
The meeting to save jobs in the parks, police and fire bureaus featured Mayor Keith Wilson breaking a City Council tie.
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Alex Zielinski @alexzee.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Portland unions are increasingly divided over public money going toward Moda Center investments. Earlier this month, ironworker/electrician unions expressed support Portland putting $$ towards Moda renovations, due to the union jobs it could create.
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Alex Zielinski @alexzee.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Here's who's representing Portland (and Portland taxpayers) in negotiations with the Trail Blazers over Moda lease:
opb.org
Who is leading Portland’s Moda Center negotiations with the Blazers?
Here’s what you need to know about the contractors the city tapped to lead these talks.
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