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September 3, 2026

Who’s Fighting the Participatory Budget Initiative? Plus, the PPS Superintendent’s Controversial Raise and Our Mailbag

City Cast Portland

Who’s Fighting the Participatory Budget Initiative? Plus, the PPS Superintendent’s Controversial Raise and Our Mailbag

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Today we're talking about the opposition that's gathering against Portland's fall participatory budgeting ballot initiative and the latest on potential cuts and school closures at Portland Public Schools — and why, despite it, the superintendent is getting a raise. Plus, we're cracking open our listener mailbag. Joining executive producer John Notarianni are Willamette Week reporter and author Brianna Wheeler, and Willamette Week City Hall reporter Sophie Peel.

Discussed in today's episode:

Participatory Budgeting Measure Faces Organized Opposition, Including From the Mayor [Willamette Week]

Portland School Board Will Weigh Contract Extension for Its Superintendent That Includes a Raise [Willamette Week]

Portland Public Schools weighs raise for its superintendent as it faces budget cuts, school closures [Oregonian]

In the Shadows: Records Show Labor Leader’s Campaign to Influence City Councilors [Portland Mercury]

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Learn more about the sponsors of this September 3rd episode:

Rose City Comic Con

Montavilla Jazz

Salishan Coastal Lodge use promo code CITYCAST

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