LOOKING FORWARD, LOOKING BACK What are you looking forward to in 2024? Curtis Robinhold Executive director, Port of Portland The opening of PDX’s new main terminal in May 2024. It’s designed to give travelers a sense of place and to make PDX even more of a reflection of our region and its people, with all the wood sourced from within 300 miles of the airport and an all-local lineup of new shops and restaurants. Together they add up to a story that I hope our Pacific Northwest community will be proud of. I can’t wait for everyone to see it. Andrew Hoan President & CEO, Portland Metro Chamber The adoption of the city manager form of government with clear lines of authority that reside in a fully empowered executive branch will be decided in November with the election of a new mayor. Regardless of who is elected, the transition to this more common, “off the shelf” approach will result in improvements to basic services as we gain efficiencies in operations within city government. The business community has been demanding these improvements for a long time, and now they are scheduled to arrive in good order. Jason Brandt President & CEO, Oregon Restaurant & Lodging Association I’m looking forward to seeing real solutions emerge to bring Oregon’s largest city back to life. Without question our restaurant and hotel members in Portland have endured the most and continue to suffer from a prolonged hangover induced by a multitude of issues. The entire state needs the Governor’s Task Force in support of Portland to be a resounding success with real solutions implemented in the 2024 short session of the Oregon Legislature. Our friends at the Portland Metro Chamber and Travel Portland have strong organizations ready to promote the good. We need Portlanders and Oregonians to embrace the reemergence of the metro area’s cultural, artistic and culinary strengths. The year 2024 can be our year not just for Portland but for Oregon as a whole. Rep. Earl Blumenauer D-Oregon’s 3rd District What I’ve been doing this year that I’m most excited about is working with the administration and people around the country to figure out how to use the pieces I authored, which are the most extensive green-energy provisions in history anywhere — not just in the United States. It’s really exciting, finally having the resources to do what we’ve been talking about, having this gusher of federal money; what we’re doing in terms of Amtrak transit, in terms of the revitalization of 82nd Avenue, the safety provisions. Four hundred seventy-three communities are going to have planning grants to deal with by Vision Zero. We have a billion dollars to implement. Melissa Unger Executive director, SEIU Local 503 In 2024 we have opportunities to think ahead about how we solve the challenges facing our state. We will be electing new leaders in Portland (including a new mayor), and I am hopeful that energy will bring action to the issues facing our city, our region and our state. We need fresh ideas, we need leadership and a passion for making Oregon a great place to live. For people that have lived in Oregon for a long time or people that have moved here, we know our great state has a lot to offer, and in 2024 we have an opportunity for our leaders to dig in, lead and invest in our future. Josh Lehner Economist, Oregon Office of Economic Analysis There are two main sources of economic growth: labor and capital. Oregon’s overall economic gains this cycle have been quite good. However, we are currently relying less on labor given the population changes but have made up for that with the third-strongest productivity gains across all states. I am looking forward to seeing if Oregon will maintain that economic growth advantage in terms of business investment that ultimately results in stronger income growth for Oregonians. Gov. Tina Kotek Continued progress on the top priorities that brought me into office: housing and homelessness, behavioral health, and early literacy. My goal is to stay focused and get things done for Oregonians. Rep. Earl Blumenauer Jason Brandt 36
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