Portland city council

After years of debate, the Portland City Council has taken a big step toward making the city’s old brick buildings more earthquake-safe. The Council voted unanimously June 13 for a resolution that would require owners of unreinforced masonry buildings to retrofit their properties. Those buildings, nicknamed URM's, are at high risk of collapse in an earthquake.

Portland City Council closed a major loophole in regulations protecting children from exposure to lead in paint. Lead-based paint in homes is the leading cause of lead poising in the nation.