Dear Portland,
One year ago, you made history. By first voting for charter reform, then electing the youngest, most progressive City Council in Portland’s history, you sent a clear message: enough with the status quo! You demanded a city that works for working people. It has been the honor of my life to serve as your councilor in District 4 in this inaugural term. From day one, our office has worked tirelessly to deliver on our promise to break with business as usual. We’ve fought on the inside by passing bold policy, and by questioning the status quo at every step. And we’ve fought on the outside, working with community partners and continuing to build the people-powered movements that make change possible. This recap is a celebration of our collective work, yours and mine, and a look ahead to the battles to come.
Policy for the People
We hit the ground running. Our first official action was to adopt a resolution calling for an investigation into the City's dealings with Zenith Energy, something I talked a lot about during the campaign. Not long after, we led the charge to adopt a Social Housing resolution, laying the groundwork for a future of permanently affordable, high-quality public housing, and delivering on another central campaign promise.
It's always been my view that real safety comes from investment in our communities, not just policing. That's why we authored a successful budget amendment that redirected $2 million from the police budget into a holistic Public Safety Set-Aside, while also securing key funding for arts and culture institutions like Portland Center Stage and the James Beard Market.
Other policies I helped pass and adopt include:
- A resolution to protect and expand Portland Street Response.
- An ordinance to ban predatory AI rent-setting algorithms.
- An ordinance to impose new fees on private detention facilities like the ICE facility in the South Waterfront.
We stood with organized labor, from picket lines to policy, and cut red tape for critical projects like moving the Cottonwood School away from the ICE facility and expediting crosswalks at Duniway Elementary School. And we fought for faster permitting for Preschool For All facilities, while defending this vital program against attacks from big business and the Governor's office.
Movement Building
Policy wins are essential, but they are only possible because of the power we build together outside City Hall. This year, we showed up time and again to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with those fighting for a better world.
This month, we were with the striking advanced practice providers at Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital who are members of the Oregon Nurses Association (ONA). We've marched with the No Kings movement, stood with PSU students defending their free speech, and showed up for tenants at The Yards and Everett Station Lofts facing unfair rent hikes and evictions.
When Preschool For All was under threat, we got to work, releasing an economic study from our office to counter misinformation and rally public support.
When Donald Trump tried to deploy National Guard troops to our streets, I called on my fellow veterans to reject illegal and immoral orders and to stand against rising fascism. And my office has stood arm in arm with housing justice advocates like the Welcome Home Coalition, demanding an end to cruel and ineffective sweeps and a turn toward real, long-term housing solutions.
I'm not going to lie. Not all of these choices have been popular. I've heard from more than one constituent that they consider actions like these out of bounds for a City Councilor. But I see them as absolutely critical. Because it's my view that building people power is the only way we will ever truly move the needle.
Looking Forward
While there's plenty to celebrate, I also know how much we have left to do. In 2026, I'm going to push to break ground on a tangible social housing policy for Portland families. I'm going to see the Zenith investigation through to accountability and action. I'm going to advance a bottom-up economic development strategy that centers working families, not corporate interests.
And, lest we forget, we're going to make the dream of "hotdog urbanism" a reality for this great city. Our so-called "hotdog ordinance" will break down barriers for street vendors and small-scale entrepreneurs, making our public spaces more vibrant, equitable, and delicious. So stay tuned for more on all of that.
It's been an amazing year. I hope the first of many. Thank you for your trust, your energy, and your ideas. I look forward to working together with you all toward a Portland for the many, not the few.
In solidarity,
Councilor Mitch Green