What got cut, what didn't in Portland's budget

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[00:00:00]That is the budget, and the meeting of the Portland City Council is now adjourned.

[00:00:04]Just before 10:00 Wednesday night, Portland City Councilors approved a balanced budget, closing a record $163 million shortfall. You know, for me, it was um you know, exhausting. Uh I think a little frustrating at times.

[00:00:19]>> Three days, some 30 hours of debate, and more than 40 amendments. Yeah, I mean, I think that we could have gotten through most of these amendments much faster if uh Councilors would stop grandstanding so much.

[00:00:29]>> People were performing. They were They weren't being serious about what was at hand. People are losing their jobs.

[00:00:35]Despite the posturing, there were some wins.

[00:00:38]>> Um I was able to secure funding for the data privacy office.

[00:00:41]>> An amendment for $532,000 to add to the Summer Works program.

[00:00:46]>> I'm happy that we're able to restore the fire station uh in St. Johns. I feel really proud that I passed an amendment to protect our uh protect our protect trees.

[00:00:56]>> We did a really good job at saving some of our um of our employees by trimming the cola and merit pay for the most well-paid employees in our city. Councilors also restored funding for the Fire Bureau's overdose response team, Portland Street Response, violence prevention, and support for black-owned businesses. But, there were also some big losses. Police really they got gutted during this process. They really got gutted.

[00:01:26]>> 5903 in line. A group of unarmed public safety support specialists faces an 80% cut. North and East police precincts could close to public access. Yeah, I'm very afraid. I I think that what we can expect is longer uh response times. I think we can expect a delay in service.

[00:01:42]Three fire rescue units could be cut, about 100 city employees could lose their jobs, and five city-run homeless shelters are set to close. Sorry, this one's a little emotional for me. An amendment to limit funding for Urban Alchemy failed. The shelter provider has come under fire over allegations including sexual abuse and theft.

[00:02:02]>> That was incredibly disappointing to me as someone with lived experience having been homeless when I was in college.

[00:02:07]>> I was pretty disappointed to see that my councilors aren't willing to use the authority that we have to have some more oversight.

[00:02:14]>> I think it is a dereliction of our duty to not make sure that the most vulnerable people in our city are cared for. In a statement, Mayor Keith Wilson says councilors were forced to make far more difficult decisions than our city government has faced in many years. It was an emotional and difficult task.

[00:02:31]Okay, so the budget now goes through legal review. Council can make further changes ahead of the final vote in June.

[00:02:37]And councilors Smith and Green tell me they're already looking into how they can restore money for the police bureau.

[00:02:44]And if you're wondering what is behind the major deficit and all these cuts, well, that stems from years of lagging revenues and rising costs. Those at Portland Police have been directed by the city administrator's office not to talk with the media, but they did send us this statement that says in part, "We acknowledge city council's work to balance the budget. Uh PPB remains committed to working collaboratively with city leadership, community members, and others through the ongoing process."

[00:03:11]Okay, but now we want to hear from you.

[00:03:13]What do you think about the wins and the losses for Portland? Uh what are your thoughts on where the budget stands right now? Let us know. Email the story at kgw.com or call and leave us a voicemail 503-226-5090.