(PORTLAND, OR.) — The Portland City Council meeting on July 22, 2026, was dominated by contentious debate over two competing supplemental budget ordinances aimed at restoring city positions, reflecting deep internal divisions and a perceived lack of genuine compromise.
Photo Credit: YouTube / eGov PDX
Public comments highlighted severe city-wide issues, including rampant drug addiction, homelessness, slow public safety response times, questionable allocation of funds for the Keller Auditorium redevelopment, and serious allegations of financial fraud within state-funded organizations.
Jacob Schnoor addressed the council remotely, critiquing councilors Mayor Keith Wilson and Governor Tina Kotek for failing Portland, especially East County, regarding public safety. He highlighted a severe mass drug issue, widespread homelessness linked to addiction, and a significant lack of police response to crimes.
“Keith Wilson has allowed needles to be handed out. There is a lack of Portland police response to a lot of crimes in this area. We feel ignored. My fellow neighbors feel ignored,” Schnoor said.
Next, Eric Schumacher expressed concern that the city is spending 'precious resources' on the Keller Auditorium redevelopment discussion while more pressing issues like rampant budget shortfalls, public safety, housing affordability, and high vacancy rates are neglected.
Photo Credit: YouTube / eGov PDX
“I think it’s important to note that the most green thing anybody can do is reuse an old building. I say that as an environmentalist and also a builder. I think it’s really important that no matter what happens, we try and figure out a way to save Keller. I’ve always respected that Portland has a sense of history. I think this is a historically important building, and I hope we think about that as we’re moving forward," Schumacher said.
Councilors debated two ordinances designed to save jobs. Supplemental Budget Ordinance 2026-222, introduced by Councilor Angelita Morillo, which sought to restore 55 frontline positions and Supplemental Budget Ordinance 2026-223, introduced by Vice President Olivia Clark, which proposed restoring 30 FTE using general fund underspend and extending benefits for laid-off employees.
Councilor Morillo's ordinance (2026-222) failed after a tie-breaking 'No' vote by Mayor Wilson, leading to the passage of Vice President Clark's less comprehensive alternative (2026-223).
“I think it's really wild that we as a council couldn't close the deal over five hundredths of a percent of our total budget and that we have to call, I don't know, the 'daddy' of the city of Portland to come help break a tiebreaker for us because, for some reason, the city council can't get together to get it done," Morillo said.
This remark was interrupted by Councilor Loretta Smith asking Councilor Morillo, “Who are you calling ‘daddy’?”
Councilor Morillo answered, “He’s your daddy, not mine.”
Order was eventually restored in the meeting, but this exchange reveals the division on the council between moderate and progressive councilors.
Media: YouTube / eGov PDX
Ultimately, Vice President Clark’s Supplemental Budget Ordinance 2026-223, which proposed restoring 30 FTE using general fund underspend and extending benefits for laid-off employees, passed (10-2).
Dissenting council members critically argued that the passed ordinance was fiscally irresponsible and, despite an amendment, could still implicitly undermine the independent judgment of the Office of Community Based Police Accountability (OCPA), a direct affront to voter intent, OpGov.news reports.
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