Mayor Keith Wilson issued an executive order today requiring the City of Portland to adjust any programs or policies at risk of violating federal anti-discrimination laws – preserving federal funding that Portland relies on for housing, transportation and other community priorities.

“Although this decision has been challenging, it is in the best interest of Portlanders,” Wilson said. “Losing federal funding would harm the very people that many of our city programs are designed to help.”

Like local governments across Oregon and the nation, Portland has faced tough decisions about how to navigate federal policy changes.

The city manages $349 million in active federal grants, with more than 90 percent going toward housing and transportation. In the next couple of weeks, $31 million in new federal agreements need to be signed. To secure that money, the city must certify that Portland complies with lawful grant requirements, such as federal anti-discrimination laws as interpreted by the current federal judiciary.

Wilson consulted more than a dozen community leaders before making his decision, which he announced in a letter to partners.

“I want to thank those who’ve taken my calls and sat together in recent weeks, sharing your expertise and your hearts,” Wilson wrote. “Here’s what I heard from you: Portland cannot afford to lose investments that make our communities stronger. Together, we are strong enough – and creative enough, and determined enough – to find new ways of creating the equitable Portland we envision.”

Under the executive order, City programs and services cannot give preference to groups with “protected-class status” based on characteristics such as race or gender, unless the City pursues a disparity study that legally supports that preference. This requirement applies to all city business, not just projects funded by federal grants.

Portland’s decision has ripple effects beyond City Hall. The city distributes federal grants to dozens of “sub-recipients” – community organizations and government partners who work together to deliver projects. If the city loses federal funding, so do they.

Based on a preliminary analysis by the city’s legal team, Portland needs to adjust approximately 75 programs and policies to ensure they comply with Wilson’s executive order. Some are relatively straightforward, such as adjusting program language to clarify that a resource is available to all Portlanders.

Over the next few weeks, city staff will develop action plans for impacted programs and policies, with support from the Office of Equity and Human Rights and close coordination with City Council. For programs in city code, legislation will go to the Portland City Council for approval. Wilson consulted city councilors throughout his deliberations on federal grants.

Meanwhile, the City of Portland continues to push back against Trump administration policies in a variety of ways. As a sanctuary jurisdiction, Portland does not provide local law enforcement resources to support federal immigration enforcement. In addition, the city is participating in lawsuits against executive orders that penalize sanctuary jurisdictions and attempt to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion work.

Wilson stressed that the City of Portland remains committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. Those words – and the intent behind them – will remain prominent in city programs and communications.

“In Portland, we believe in diversity, we believe in equity, and we believe in inclusion. We say those words proudly,” Wilson said. “We will continue to operate the vast majority of programs designed to help all Portlanders, including people of color, immigrants, women, LGBTQIA2S+ people and people with disabilities, by making city government more inclusive and more accessible.”

Source: Portland Mayor's Office

Podcasts