TKL's Legislative Wins & Community Priorities

Along with being active in the community and focusing on good governance, Councilor Koyama Lane is among those who have passed the most legislation on the new council. Check out some of her legislative success below. 

Key Legislative Wins

Housing & Affordability

Veterans Housing & Homeownership Support – Passed ordinance to provide funding to help veterans age in place or become first-time homeowners.

$2.5M for District 2 Homeownership Development – Passed ordinance to appropriate $2.5 million from the Construction Excise Tax Sub-fund for homeownership development in District 2.

Portland Children's Levy – Passed ordinance to allocate $2.5 million for 12 small community organizations and an 8% increase for 94 existing grants, expanding early learning, after-school, hunger relief, mentoring, and abuse-prevention programs.

Keep Portland Housed Ordinance – Passed ordinance for $56 million for rent assistance and eviction defense, putting housing resources toward Portland's most vulnerable neighbors first. Passed as an amendment to the spring Technical Adjustment Ordinance for immediate stabilization and eviction defense, building permanent public assets in social housing and additional investments in housing support.

Ban on Algorithmic Rent-Fixing Software – Co-sponsored ordinance to establish a first-in-Oregon ban on the AI pricing algorithms corporate landlords use to coordinate and jack up rents.

Social Housing Study - Co-sponsored a resolution directing the City Administrator to study alternative housing financing and ownership models, exploring publicly-owned, community-managed housing as an alternative to for-profit landlords.

Climate, Environment, & Animal Rights

Tree Canopy Protections – Sponsored budget amendment to restore $3.2 million to prevent cuts to Urban Forestry and the Tree Permitting Program, reversing staffing cuts that had put unpermitted tree removal and canopy loss at risk; acknowledges it takes decades to replace the shade, habitat, natural beauty, and other environmental benefits large trees provide.

Zenith Energy Accountability - Co-sponsored a resolution placing Zenith Energy Terminal communications into the public record and calling for investigations into the company's compliance with its franchise agreement.

Ban on Force-Fed Poultry Products - Co-sponsored an ordinance prohibiting the sale or provision of certain force-fed poultry products in Portland.

Vision Zero & Transportation

"No Turn on Red" Ordinance- Co-sponsored legislation that aims to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries on Portland streets, particularly at priority intersections such as pedestrian head starts (leading intervals), bike boxes or protected bike lanes, heavy foot or bike traffic, a history of turning-related crashes, location in an equity priority area, nearby schools, parks, transit stops, senior centers, libraries, community centers.

Establishment of Drivers' Resource Center - Passed ordinance to authorize the use of a portion of ride fee revenues to fund the establishment and ongoing operations of the Drivers' Resource Center within the Private for-Hire Transportation program, which provides support in navigating deactivations, accessing translation services, obtaining required documentation, and connecting to education and training resources.

Transportation Utility Fee: 75/25 Maintenance & Safety Split - Co-sponsored an ordinance with Councilor Zimmerman: commits 75% of annual Transportation Utility Fee revenue to basic maintenance like potholes, and 25% to Vision Zero safety projects like sidewalks and crash-corridor improvements. Extends automatic utility rate relief for low-income households to renters in multi-family housing.

Vision Zero Action Plan & Task Force – Sponsored a resolution reaffirming Portland's commitment to eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries and established a new cross-bureau Vision Zero Task Force with funded staff.

Vision Zero Programming & Staffing - Sponsored budget amendment to fund Vision Zero programming and staffing in the FY25-26 budget.

Street Damage Restoration Fee - Co-sponsored resolution in support of creating a fee on those that excavate the public right of way and contribute to street deterioration, with revenue going towards street repairs.

Civil Rights & LGBTQIA2S+

LGBTQIA2S+ Protections Package - Sponsored and spearheaded a landmark ordinance defending transgender rights, paired with an ordinance updating civil rights code definitions for sexual orientation and family status.

Resolution Defending Transgender Rights - Sponsored declaration that the City of Portland will defend the rights of transgender people and the full LGBTQIA2S+ community.

Equal Restroom Access Code - Co-sponsored an ordinance requiring gender-neutral signage on single-occupant restrooms in public accommodations, guaranteeing equal bathroom access for all.

Governance & Accountability

Contracting Transparency Budget Note – Sponsored budget noteto direct the City Budget Office and City Administrator to document how much of the City's budget goes to outside contractors versus work that could be done in-house, including FTE counts, duties, cost, and length of service.

Water Utility Rate Study Reporting – Sponsored budget note for regular public reporting on the City's water utility rate study, so both Council and the public can track progress on rate-setting decisions that affect every Portland household.

Sister City Relationship with Lviv, Ukraine – Passed ordinance creating a sister-city relationship between Portland and Lviv, Ukraine.

Appointed Boards, Commissions & Committees Code - Co-sponsored a new code (Chapter 3.40) governing how Portland's appointed boards and commissions operate to increase transparency and engagement with the public.

Council Tie-Breaking Rule – Sponsored an amendment establishing Council's rule for breaking tie votes; foundational governance work for the new council.

Portland City Council Governance Handbook –Sponsored the creation of a Governance Handbook collecting policies, procedures, and current practices, a lasting reference to support City operations and improve transparency.

Annual Council Strategic Priority Setting – Co-sponsored a standing procedure for how Council sets its strategic priorities each year.

Council Committee Rules – Co-sponsored the rules governing how council committees operate.

Diversity & Civic Leadership Program Restoration – Sponsored a budget amendment to fund the Diversity and Civic Leadership program and district coalition offices, including operating grants and small grants.

Parks & Community

Montavilla Park Picnic Shelter – Sponsored budget amendment to restore funding for a demolished picnic shelter that constituents regularly rely on for important community gatherings and shade.

Personal Trainers for Seniors - Sponsored budget amendment that restored funding for Portland Parks & Recreation's personal training program, protecting a service that many older residents, people with disabilities, and low-income neighbors rely on for access to fitness and wellness support.

Summerworks, Youth Services, Film & Events Funding – Passed Budget amendment for ~$1M in funding for Summerworks, NextGen Youth Services, the Film and Events Office, and a Large Event Stability grant program.

Economic & Racial Justice

Arts Tax Reform – Co-sponsored reform to the Arts Access Fund that raises the income threshold for the Arts Tax effectively exempting up to 44% of low-income Portlanders, increases tax from $35 to $50 for individuals and to $100 for joint filers to match inflation and ties future adjustments to inflation, establishes clearer standards and accountability measures.

Immigration & Public Safety

Sanctuary City Status Protections – Co-sponsored an emergency ordinance codifying Portland's sanctuary status, protecting everyone's rights, dignity, and safety regardless of immigration status.

Identification of Law Enforcement Officers Code – Passed an ordinance requiring a visible badge, prohibiting facial coverings and requiring identity verification for anyone conducting law enforcement activities in Portland.

The Protect Portland Initiative – Co-sponsored a resolution denouncing any deployment of the U.S. Armed Forces, National Guard, or militarized federal immigration enforcement in Portland without local consent.

Current Priorities

The Moda Center Deal (& Good Governance)

Tiffany has been outspoken about the Moda Center funding process from the start. In February, she was the only member of City Council to decline signing onto the joint statement applauding the advancement of the State funding package. She submitted process proposals to Council President Dunphy and was part of the push for community listening sessions and a citywide survey, which she followed up with her own more detailed survey. Overall, her work regarding the Moda Center negotiations has been about good governance, e.g. ways to integrate the public into decision-making, stay transparent, and accountable. 

Age-friendly Portland

Did you know Portland's age‑friendly efforts are some of the longest running in the world? Since 2006, we've gone from a WHO research project to a full city program with an action plan. Age-friendly cities are disability-inclusive. They feature accessible housing, safe mobility, inclusive public spaces, healthcare access, clear wayfinding and safe transportation, plus services like caregiver support, healthy food, and community centers. Tiffany wants Portland to better support health and longevity across all stages of life, with racial and disability equity at the core, acknowledging how past advantages or harms shape long-term well-being.An "age-friendly" is a blueprint for a better city for all. Portland can be a place where people of all ages and disabilities can live, work, play, and age in their own community. Learn more: portland.gov/bps/planning/adin

Economic Justice & Lower Rates for Portlanders

This past year, Tiffany helped pass the Transportation Utility Fee and Arts Tax Reform ordinances. But she is clear: these are temporary fixes to a regressive tax structure that charges a flat fee, regardless of income, meaning lower-income Portlanders pay a much higher percentage of their earnings compared to those with higher incomes. She has her eyes on the future. She wants an entire rate restructuring for economic justice, so those who use or have more pay a fair percentage of their income. She is working for a Portland where everyone pays their fair share.

Vision Zero

Vision Zero has been a signature feature of Councilor Koyama Lane's time in office.  As a mom, a bicyclist, and a public transit user, she recognizes that safe streets are a cornerstone of a healthy community. During her time in office, she has been proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with PBOT and community advocates to champion Vision Zero's goal: no traffic deaths or serious injuries on our streets. There remains important work to be done, and Councilor Koyama Lane will continue fighting for a Portland where everyone can bike, roll, or walk safely to their destination. Stay-tuned for future plans to continue along this path to safety!

Community Impact (Beyond the Dais)

Countless neighborhood meetings and events - Councilor Koyama Lane regularly attends community meetings and events across the district to build relationships that legislation alone can't and to listen to the voices of the people who elected her, so she can advocate for them.

Backing local business owners - Councilor Koyama Lane is a dedicated supporter, frequent customer, and enthusiastic cheerleader for Portland's small businesses. She believes these shops, makers, restaurants, and neighborhood entrepreneurs are the heartbeat of the city, the places that bring people together and make Portland's communities vibrant and unique. Her commitment shows up both in how she shows up as a customer and how she uplifts small‑business voices in her work.

(More to come!)