Empty Affordable Units, Using the Kicker for Wildfire Costs, and a Bigger Police Force?

Today's lightning round of news includes Governor Tina Kotek eyeing the kicker for wildfire costs, TriMet's new idea to curb fare evasion, an Oregon coast train ride for stargazing, and more. Host Claudia Meza and executive producer John Notarianni give their microdose of news and dive into our mailbag to hear from listeners on today's midweek roundup. 

Discussed in Today's Episode:

• Chaotic Administration of Portland Anti-Displacement Policy Leaves Affordable Apartments Vacant [Oregonian]
• TriMet Considers Adding Gates To Stop Fare Evasion As It Faces $74 Million Deficit [KATU] 
• Gov. Tina Kotek Now Supports Withholding $1B of Oregon’s ‘Kicker’ for Wildfire Costs [OPB] 
• Oregon Route Named One of the Best Train Rides in the U.S. for Stargazing [Oregonian]
• Oregon Bill Would Allow Youth To Vote in School Board Elections [Oregon Capital Chronicle]
• Portland Voters Support Nearly Doubling Size of Police Force, Polling Shows [Willamette Week]
• A Shrinking State Budget Forecast, the County Cuts Tent Access, and a Lightning Round of News [City Cast Portland]
• The Gigantic PPS School Bond on Your May 20 Ballot. Plus, Our Listener Mailbag [City Cast Portland] 
• Portland's Full of Empty Buildings. Could a Vacancy Tax Help? [City Cast Portland]

Get more from City Cast Portland when you become a City Cast Portland Neighbor. You’ll enjoy perks like ad-free listening, invitations to members-only events, and more. Join now at membership.citycast.fm.

Who would you like to hear on City Cast Portland? Shoot us an email at portland@citycast.fm, or leave us a voicemail at 503-208-5448.

Want more Portland news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter, Hey Portland, and be sure to follow us on Instagram. 

Looking to advertise on City Cast Portland? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise.

Learn more about the sponsors of this May 21st episode:

• Oregon Health Authority
• PaintCare

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices