The Chamber works to shape public policy in areas most impactful to the local business community and Portland metro region at-large. We accomplish this through a combination of information sharing, education, coalition building, and active lobbying at the local, regional, state, and federal levels. Chamber members actively participate in shaping our advocacy agenda.
Portland’s long-term competitiveness depends on restoring public safety, quality of life, and an effective homelessness response. The city must prioritize clean and safe communities, fund coordinated recovery and public safety systems, enforce camping laws, and support the arts and small businesses that drive economic vitality.
Portland’s high housing costs and nation-leading tax burden are driving residents and employers away and shrinking the city’s tax base. To restore competitiveness, leaders must lower the tax burden, prioritize core services, and implement the Governor’s Central City Task Force fiscal reform roadmap.
Portland’s acute housing shortage—caused by years of underproduction and fast-rising costs—now undermines economic stability and drives homelessness. The region must urgently spur at least 6,000 new homes a year through streamlined regulations, strong incentives, and policies that expand both homeownership and multifamily supply.
Portland must adopt a competitive mindset as its traditional strengths have eroded and population growth can no longer sustain economic or revenue needs. With voters resistant to new taxes, the region must grow its tax base by supporting business expansion, attracting employers, and advancing public-private partnerships.
Clean-energy investment can drive Portland’s economic revival while reducing emissions and protecting air and water. To achieve this, the city must pursue accountable, results-focused climate policies that position Portland as a model of sustainable economic growth.
The City of Portland must refocus its resources and efforts on delivering essential core services—public safety, infrastructure maintenance, and basic city operations.
The Chamber’s advocacy work is spearheaded by the Government Relations Executive Committee (GREC), a member committee dedicated to gathering data, meeting with elected officials, and formulating policy recommendations. GREC meetings are open to all Chamber members.
The Community Leaders Network helps Chamber members build relationships with policymakers and shape public policy. The program is designed to empower individual members and leverage their unique skills, experiences, perspectives and connections, to advance pragmatic, solutions-oriented public policy at the local, regional, and state level.
