(PORTLAND, OR.) — The Portland City Council meeting on Wednesday, June 10 was fraught with intense debate over the city's proposed FY2026-27 budget.
Photo Credit: YouTube
Many residents addressed the council with concerns over the budget.
Edie Rogoway, a criminal defense attorney, expressed deep disappointment with the city council, citing the squandering of federal COVID funds and self-serving interests. She criticized the council's tendency to enact legislation contrary to local Portlanders' desires, urging 'moderates' (identified as born/raised Portlanders) to assert themselves against what she called 'Kremlin' voting from outside the city.
“I have been paying attention. I paid attention to how much money you all got during COVID in free federal COVID funds, that was completely squandered,” Rogoway said. “What I see time and time again is the city council proposing and enacting legislation that is literally the opposite of what any local I know wants.”
Vicky Payne criticized the proposed budget for reducing campsite cleanups as being shortsighted. She argued that it prolongs the city's homelessness crisis.
“We seem to be the only county that just grossly accepts that hundreds of people are going to die on our streets every year,” Payne said.
Payne also criticized 'disingenuous' attempts to save frontline worker positions by lumping them with redundant jobs, questioning the lack of promised savings from the new charter. She advocated public safety.
“Polling shows that people want public safety. We cannot attract businesses, which will bring jobs and tax revenue, [and] that pay for all of our wonderful social services, without continuing on the path to restoring safety and livability in the city. Please do better,” Payne concluded.
Following public communications, Council President Jamie Dunphy addressed the chamber, outlining how the council would handle the items pertaining to the budget.
Video Credit: YouTube / eGov PDX
Rob Martino, union representative, stated that the budget is not just a financial document but a 'moral document' that forces compromises. He urged councilors to focus on objective numbers rather than politically named amendments, advocating for unity amidst the 'deep division' he observed.
“Make it about the numbers, not about the two amendments here today that I want to talk about. Both preserve workers, both are positive. I think you have more that you are in alignment with than you are at opposition on. We have got to find a way to do the reconciliation process. I know this isn’t the house and senate, but this adoption really is reconciliation and more than reconciliation here. I hope you find it amongst each other, because this has been an extremely painful process... to watch the deep division,” Martino said.
Isaac McLennan, President of the Portland Firefighters Association, thanked the council for previous efforts but stressed the unresolved issue of reduced overnight staffing for three fire rescue units. He noted these units are crucial for life-saving emergency medical response, and respectfully requested full restoration of their 24/7 staffing to maintain existing emergency response capabilities, not expand them.
Photo Credit: YouTube
“The remaining costs to fully restore these three rescues is $1.65 million. The good news is that you have multiple amendments before you that provide funding options to restore that service. While there may be disagreement about which funding source is best, there should be an agreement that Portland residents deserve the emergency response they rely on today,” McLennan said.
Despite numerous public pleas to preserve jobs and critical programs, the council remained deeply divided, failing to pass several key amendments aimed at mitigating severe cuts.
The meeting recessed and was set to be reconvened on Thursday.
But Thursday’s meeting was marked by deep divisions, procedural disputes, and frustration, ultimately failing to address all pre-filed amendments.
According to Portland.gov, “Councilors ran short of time to consider additional amendments, even after extending the discussion by 30 minutes. This led to a series of procedural votes to extend the time for discussion. These votes deadlocked 6-6, however, so the session was adjourned without considering some amendments.”
The council is set to vote on final adoption of the budget on June 17.
If you would like to comment or add to this report, please email me at rory.h@lead4earth.org.
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