Multnomah County commissioners fume, fret over fentanyl response days after downtown Portland emergency declaration

Jessica Vega Pederson

Multnomah County commissioners on Thursday voiced their frustrations over a state of emergency announced days ago by Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler, county Chair Jessica Vega Pederson and Gov. Tina Kotek.Motoya Nakamura / Multnomah County

Days after Gov. Tina Kotek, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson declared a state of emergency to combat rising fentanyl use and deaths in downtown Portland, most members of the county commission appeared divided and displeased over portions of the tri-government initiative.

Multnomah County commissioners Thursday criticized what they cast as too narrow of a geographic focus for the 90-day order and said the promise of aggressive action by their own government was long overdue.

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