We have officially passed the budget for fiscal year 2025-26!
THANK YOU to everyone in the community who participated in this process over the last several months – whether you shared your thoughts with an email, called the district office, attended one of our District 3 town halls, or testified at a listening session or a City Council meeting (or maybe we even knocked on your door as my team canvassed District 3 to bring community voice into my budget decisions). Democracy works when we show up.
We made it through our first budget process in this new form of government. It wasn’t without challenges. Timelines constricted our options. Dozens of amendments weren’t heard. We faced funding reductions that required difficult choices that no one wanted to make. We all championed priorities, but also made painful sacrifices.
To anyone who felt the process was messy and at times chaotic, I want to share a couple thoughts:
First, yes, I know there were bumps in this process. We are learning as a new Council. We will take what we’ve learned into our next budget process, and…
Two, this messy process is what representational democratic governance looks like in action. This process felt different because it SHOULD feel different. What we’re seeing is not chaos, it is what it looks like when more Portlanders are represented on the dais. For too long, a small group has made the bulk of decisions for our city. Now we have 12 Councilors from all across Portland weighing in. Representation means more perspectives, ideas and debate in the room.
We can’t build a better city without disagreement, deliberation, and the hard work of active listening. Change is not easy and clean, but it’s necessary. Portlanders deserve nothing less! I am honored to be a part of it. As we walk away to the other side of this budget season, I am proud of the work my colleagues and I have accomplished. Let’s stay engaged and shape what’s next.
Pedestrian Plaza Visit
This week I got to swing by the new street plaza on Hawthorne! What a great addition to our District. Street plazas are a wonderful way of increasing pedestrian and bike safety. Also, look how awesome the art is! If you haven't gotten a chance yet, go check out the new street plaza on SE Hawthorne and 37th.
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Freedom Day - Juneteenth
This week we celebrated Juneteenth. Below are some events you can attend and ways you can learn more about the history of this holiday!
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