Why is Ted Wheeler Speaking at Oregon Mayor’s Conference?

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Byron Beck, GoLocalPDX Features Editor

Ted Wheeler

Oregon State Treasurer Ted Wheeler. Photo by Byron Beck.

Oregon State Treasurer Ted Wheeler is scheduled to be the Keynote Speaker at Friday, July 31st, Oregon Mayor’s Conference currently taking place in Cottage Grove.

Rumors have been flying around Portland that Wheeler is considering a possible run at the next mayor’s race against the current incumbent Charlie Hales. For a politician who is still on the fence about whether or not to run this could be a deciding factor.

The annual Oregon Mayors Association Summer Conference takes place July 30 – August 1, 2015. “This event is your opportunity to discuss critical issues that are unique to mayors,” said the oregonmayors.org conference site. “Oregon State Treasurer Ted Wheeler will be the keynote speaker on Friday morning. And the popular Mayors Open Forum returns to address timely topics of interest to all mayors.”

Wheeler has indicated he is mulling a run for the mayor but has yet to announce any final decision.

Related Slideshow: 7 Things the Mayor Could Do by Reorganizing City Hall

Here are some things a reshuffle might do for Portland Mayor Charlie Hales.

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7. Shake up the Bureau Directors

While commissioners come and go, the directors are in charge of their bureaus in the long term. Bringing all the bureaus under his control during the budgeting process would force the directors to answer to the Mayor, if only for a short time. This move would send a strong message to the bureaucracy that the Mayor, in fact, is in charge.

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6. Change the Staffing

In the past, some Mayors took over the bureaus and reshuffled their staff, most notably, the directors. Mayor Tom Potter and others have used bureau reshuffles to oust directors and other staff.

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5. Realign Bureaus with Commissioners' Interests

Each Commissioner has his or her own strengths and interests. Amanda Fritz has always been passionate about neighborhoods, while Nick Fish is equally focused on housing. Giving the Office of Neighborhood Involvement back to Fritz and the Housing Bureau back to Fish might build political capital.

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4. Reset Relationships

It would take significant negotiating with commissioners to execute a reshuffle smoothly. The Mayor would have an opportunity to rebuild alliances or work to align commissioners with his vision of a city council that functions more like a board of directors than a gang of mini-mayors.

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3. Take Over The Bureau of Transportation

Hales' boldest play would be to take the Bureau of Transportation for himself. While it lays the responsibility of the Portland Street Fee squarely on his shoulders, if he is successful, Hales could claim victory over an issue that has vexed him since he was on City Council more than a decade ago.

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2. Look Like A Strong Mayor

While most Portlanders don’t pay much attention to City Hall intrigue, if the Mayor appears to be cleaning house, it’s bound to earn points with some voters.

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1. Get into Position for Year Three

If the Mayor successfully pulls off a reshuffle, he could end up in a stronger political position. If he decides to run for re-election, the move would come just in time for this year’s critical window for political fundraising.