Latest news with #MultnomahCountyBoard
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
MultCo parents to Gov. Kotek: ‘Hands off' Preschool for All
PORTLAND, Ore. () — Multnomah County parents rallied in Southeast Portland on Wednesday to save their children's' preschools. They are worried they could close if state lawmakers make good on a threat to stop the county funding for free Preschool for All. City Council approves $65M in Children's Levy grants Money comes from a tax on high-income earners in Multnomah County. Parents are concerned about an that would ban the county from collecting the income tax from high earners, which would end the program by 2027. 'My daughter is now in a preschool she loves. She lives in a community she loves, and we are not grappling with the choice of paying a tremendous amount of money, or pursuing our careers, or paying rent. So I would like to say, hands off to Governor Tina Kotek. Please preserve preschool for all our communities and our youth,' said parent Courtney Dawson at the rally. The governor has concerns about the tax paying for free preschool, saying it is driving high-income earners out of Portland. At a legislative meeting on Tuesday, Multnomah County Board Chair Jessica Vega Pederson urged legislators not to cut off the county's funding source. On Wednesday, KOIN 6 reached out to the head of the Senate Finance and Revenue Committee about the attempt to stop the funding. Portland-made film shines light on senior homelessness Senator Mark Meek's chief of staff told us in a statement, 'I can confirm the bill is not moving forward this session. The senator looks forward to continuing these conversations during the interim.' Governor Kotek's office said it has received hundreds of emails on this issue. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Deadline looms for MultCo budget approval
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Time is running out on budget talks for the Multnomah County Board, with the adoption vote looming on Thursday. Multnomah County Commissioner Shannon Singleton said the board is still considering around 30 amendments to the Chair's original proposed budget. 'We have the same sort of revenue that we're using to fund programs that we want to fund from different commission offices, and so it's working through, with each other because we can't double spend money,' Singleton said. 'Who is going to kind of let go of something or if they can find another funding source for that.' Some amendments are new programs, and others are restorations. But she said if some pass, there could be around $20 million in changes from the original proposed budget. 'Plus we had some new revenue amendments that were added to the process,' Singleton said, 'And so there are some additional funds that we're able to spend so that somewhere we don't have to make reductions in the chair's proposed budget.' Cuts are still a top concern for Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez. Vasquez has said proposed cuts to his budget would mean layoffs in the DA's office. In a statement to KOIN 6 Vasquez said, 'I have been loud about the need to fully fund the DA's office because the people of Multnomah County want and deserve a safer community. I do too. And that takes a fully funded DA's Office. We are hoping for the best and watching closely to see what happens tomorrow with the budget vote.' 'The reductions that the DA faced are comparable to what other departments have faced in a reduction year,' Singleton said. 'It's really important that we're thoughtful about where those come and we don't just cut from the front line direct services.' Another department staring down serious cuts — county health. Among those cuts is the entire Nurse-Family Partnership program. Singleton said everyone is facing an economic downturn. 'Not just the county, but the human beings living here as well,' she said. 'And so it's really important to me that we come out with a balanced budget. And I don't mean balanced in the number, but balanced in where those reductions have been. And unfortunately, some really good programs are going to be a part of the reduction.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Multnomah County Board members unveil plan to put county in ‘driver's seat' of economy
PORTLAND, Ore. () – Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson and Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards are introducing a proposal to 'kick-start' the county's economy. The Multnomah County Board members unveiled their plan on Friday, which requests $100,000 to create an Economic Development Landscape Analysis and Report to help the county develop an economic strategy. The proposal for an economic report comes as the board members say Multnomah County has played a 'limited' role in boosting the economy for decades. City of Portland managers to make full-time return to workplace 'The health of our economy deeply impacts our families and everyone's ability to live, rise, and thrive. This report will give us the knowledge to do sound policy and planning,' said Vega Pederson. 'It will support our ability to help grow our economy, empower local businesses, and drive our community's economic future.' According to Vega Pederson and Brim-Edwards, it is 'imperative' for the county to have an active role in promoting economic growth as cities and other community partners in Portland's Downtown Core and Central City have created their own initiatives to spur economic activity. In a draft budget request for the proposal, Vega Pederson's office notes that the proposal should leverage efforts underway and work with organizations, including, the Port of Portland — which 'significantly contributes' to local economic development with freight and passenger service and offers a mentorship program — along with Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon, Travel Portland, along with local colleges and universities. Troutdale's Sugarpine Drive-In brings new dish to Portland sandwich shop The report will help the county develop county-specific strategies to support existing businesses, industries and employers, while recruiting new businesses, the board members said, noting the county's ability to provide services from addressing the homelessness crisis to preschool access, is 'inextricably linked' to the vitality of the area's economy. 'Let's not kid ourselves: We need to change the trajectory of our economy and reverse recent trends,' Commissioner Brim-Edwards said. 'The County needs to be in the driver's seat of our own economic future, and we can start by creating a countywide economic development and empowerment strategy to improve family incomes and the economic future for Multnomah County residents.' The proposal will be introduced to the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners on April 17. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Vega Pederson and Brim-Edwards' plan comes after a Portland Metro Chamber report released in February painted a grim picture of the city's economy — showing Portland has had a slower post-pandemic recovery than most major cities. The Portland Metro Chamber report referred to Portland's economy as an 'urban doom loop,' a vicious cycle in which businesses close, people leave and tax revenues decline. 'It is on all of us to make sure that we continue to address the key issues like live-ability, homelessness, substance abuse,' Portland Metro Chamber President and CEO previously said. 'But now we have to get real about the economy and start competing for business and investment, or we have some serious consequences that we will have to grapple with in the future.' The report ends with a call to action for city leaders, to fix our economy or face the consequences. 'Our region's leaders must turn their attention to make our economy competitive or face the daunting realities that other regions have faced before – an urban doom loop.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
