Oregon Public Broadcasting

Portland Mayor Sam Adams talked to the city's business community this morning about how the federal government's stimulus package might trickle down to the metro area. April Baer reports.

Adams reminded members of the Portland Business Alliance the city gets only a fraction of the stimulus package.

For example, $190 million will be spent on Oregon transportation projects. Only about ten percent of that will come to the metro area. 

But Adams promised to work to secure as much funding as is available, keeping in mind the money flows not in one blank check, but through many channels.

Sam Adams "From upwards of 67 different spigots of federal funding. Each spigot coming with it's normal opportunities, mandates, and red tape."

His talk at the PBA was his first since an investigation was opened into his relationship with a young man four years ago.

Responding to a question about whether he has the public's confidence, Adams said he's letting people go through their process of responding to his actions, but said he believes he's doing effective work.