As Portland leaders grapple with a major citywide budget shortfall, some have sought potential relief from one of the city’s most prosperous initiatives—the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF). The fund, which collects a 1 percent tax on local sales at large retailers to pay for carbon reduction projects, has found major financial success while other city programs and bureaus struggle to maintain basic services. Councilor Mitch Green is now the latest member of...
  • infinitesunrise@slrpnk.netEnglish
    3·
    3 days ago

    Rolling back PPB’s budget to 2019 numbers would entirely fill the Parks & Rec budget hole that Mayor Wilson has created. PPB’s 2019 budget was $226M and this past year it was $295M. This 5-year $69M increase has done nothing to make Portland safer, has certainly done nothing to make Portland more pleasant, and in city communication’s own words comprises “the City’s most flexible dollars.” Please council, do not let Wilson leave this elephant in the room out of the conversation.