Initiative Could Radically Alter Portland City Government

Although the initiative has a technical flaw in its wording that could leave Portland without a functioning legislative body for a year after it passes, Mayor Vera Katz supports the idea behind it. The initiative would replace Portland's city 89-year-old commission system with a city council and strong mayor system. Nine city council members would serve, seven of whom would be elected geographically. The mayor's office would be separate; currently the mayor is a voting member of of the city commission.