Rainmaker Rankings October 11-17, 2026
The Bird Alliance of Oregon is transforming a former East Portland landfill into a nature sanctuary and community solar farm. Governor Tina Kotek paused environmental permits for new and expanding data centers, while Metro Council awarded $392,400 to advance West Linn's waterfront revitalization near Willamette Falls. The Oregon Health Authority approved a partnership allowing 11 rural hospitals to share resources while remaining independent.
On the other side of the ledger, Prosper Portland executive director Cornell Wesley awarded $456,000 in no-bid contracts to longtime college friends, raising concerns about favoritism and transparency.
Also this week: Oregon settled a lawsuit alleging decades of sexual abuse at a youth correctional facility, and Portland reported mixed results from its housing development fee waiver. Neither received a score.
Weekly Scoring Table
| Rank | Leader / Organization | This Week | Overall | Articles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bird Alliance of Oregon | +2 | +2 | 1 |
| 2 | Tina Kotek | +1 | +8 | 1 |
| 2 | Metro Council | +1 | +1 | 1 |
| 2 | Oregon Health Authority | +1 | 0 | 1 |
| 5 | Prosper Portland | -2 | -1 | 1 |
| 5 | Cornell Wesley | -2 | -2 | 1 |
Articles Scored This Week
Former East Portland Landfill Site To House Solar Farm Nature Sanctuary
Date: October 12, 2026
Leader / Organization: Bird Alliance of Oregon
Score: +2
Score Headline: Transforming a Former Landfill into a Community Asset
Score Explanation: The Bird Alliance of Oregon is transforming a former East Portland demolition landfill into a nature sanctuary and renewable energy site.
Working with APANO and the Bonneville Environmental Foundation, the organization is helping bring a community solar farm to the property that is expected to cut electricity bills by up to 50% for roughly 140 low-income households.
Native habitat restoration is already underway, with plans for public nature trails and a future wildlife rehabilitation center.
The transformation is supported by Portland's Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF).
Oregon Governor Orders Pause On Environmental Permits To Build Or Expand Data Centers
Date: October 13, 2026
Leader / Organization: Tina Kotek
Score: +1
Score Headline: Pauses Data Center Environmental Permits Until July 2027
Score Explanation: Governor Tina Kotek has directed Oregon environmental regulators to pause new air and water pollution permits for data center construction and expansion until July 1, 2027.
The pause gives Oregon time to evaluate the industry's environmental impacts and consider stronger protections for water, air quality, and local communities.
Oregon Settles Lawsuit Over Sexual Abuse Maclaren Youth Correctional Facility
Date: October 13, 2026
Leader / Organization: Oregon Youth Authority
Score: 0
Score Headline: Oregon Settles Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Against Youth Authority
Score Explanation: Oregon has reached a settlement with former residents of MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility who alleged they were sexually abused by longtime pediatrician Edward G. Edwards.
The lawsuit alleged that Oregon Youth Authority officials received repeated warnings about Edwards' behavior over decades but failed to intervene.
The settlement amount has not been disclosed, and six additional lawsuits remain active.
While the alleged abuse and institutional failures are deeply troubling, the settlement represents a step toward accountability rather than a new negative action.
Portland SDC waiver not enough to spur large-scale housing development, report says
Date: October 13, 2026
Leader / Organization: Portland Permitting & Development and Public Works
Score: 0
Score Headline: Housing Fee Waiver Shows Mixed Results
Score Explanation: A new city report finds that Portland's temporary waiver of system development charges (SDCs) has helped housing development, but hasn't been enough to spur large apartment projects.
So far, 2,871 housing units have entered the program, with roughly 980 receiving permits and qualifying for permanent fee waivers.
High construction costs, interest rates, and financing challenges continue to limit larger developments.
The report provides useful transparency into the policy's performance, but it was required under the original ordinance rather than representing a new initiative.
No score — routine government reporting.
Prosper Portland Executive Director Awarded Three No-Bid Contracts to His College Friends
Date: October 13, 2026
Leader / Organization: Cornell Wesley; Prosper Portland
Score: -2
Score Headline: Gave out $456K in no-bid contracts to college friends
Score Explanation: Prosper Portland executive director Cornell Wesley awarded three no-bid contracts worth a combined $456,000 to two longtime college friends. The consultants are based outside Oregon, and the agency has refused to disclose the scope of work for two of the contracts, citing attorney-client privilege.
Wesley personally approved an exemption from competitive bidding for one of the contracts. As of late September, $264,000 had already been paid.
Prosper Portland maintains that the contracts complied with applicable rules, and no fraud or ethics violation has been established. But awarding substantial public contracts to personal friends without competitive bidding raises serious concerns about favoritism, transparency, and oversight.
Portland Mayor Keith Wilson has called for a public review, but no independent investigation or specific accountability measures have been announced.
West Linn is $400,000 closer to bringing its waterfront vision to life
Date: October 15, 2026
Leader / Organization: Metro Council
Score: +1
Score Headline: Invests $400K in West Linn Waterfront Revitalization
Score Explanation: Metro Council awarded a $392,400 grant to help West Linn move forward with its waterfront revitalization plan near Willamette Falls.
The funding will support planning, zoning changes, transportation studies, and efforts to expand public river access and encourage new businesses.
Willamette Falls is one of Oregon's most underutilized natural attractions. Alongside other redevelopment efforts, this investment brings the region one step closer to transforming the falls into a major tourism destination and economic driver.
Oregon Rural Hospitals Get Green Light To Sort Of Join Forces
Date: October 16, 2026
Leader / Organization: Oregon Health Authority
Score: +1
Score Headline: Approves partnership allowing 11 rural hospitals to join forces while remaining independent
Score Explanation: The Oregon Health Authority has approved the creation of the Cascades Rural High Value Network, allowing 11 independent rural hospitals to share resources, reduce costs, and coordinate patient care without merging into a single health system.
The partnership aims to give smaller hospitals some of the economies of scale enjoyed by larger health systems while preserving local ownership and control.
OHA's approval includes safeguards requiring hospitals to remain independent for at least five years, restrictions on collective insurance negotiations, and annual compliance reporting.
The network is targeting January 2027 to begin operations. If successful, it could help rural hospitals remain financially viable and preserve access to health care in smaller Oregon communities.
