|
You may have heard that Preschool for All (PFA) is under attack. There are efforts at the State Legislature undermining the program and Multnomah County’s ability to continue this tax. Councilor Green is a strong supporter of PFA, a program voters passed in 2020 designed to provide free universal access to preschool by 2030 for children ages three and four. Portland Parks Preschool recently became a Preschool for All Provider for the 2025-2026 school year as part of the County’s effort to scale up. In Portland's District 4, Southwest Community Center is a host site for PFA.
As a response to the emerging threats to weaken or eliminate the program, Councilor Green released a report that corrected misinformation about Multnomah County’s PFA tax. One narrative he addressed was the claim that the PFA tax is driving high-income residents away from the County. The report titled “Multnomah County Fiscal Migration Analysis for Preschool for All” dissects claims that the PFA tax is a primary driver of migration, revealing instead that migration is largely unrelated to the tax and that the number of taxpayers funding PFA is growing annually.
Councilor Green issued a statement: “At a time when the federal government is gutting social programs to fund tax cuts for billionaires, we cannot capitulate to anti-tax fearmongering. It seems to me that the worst possible time to shy away from building a strong social safety net based upon local progressive taxation is when the federal government is doing fascism. We must not let the interests of a few wealthy individuals override the will of voters and compromise our children’s future. PFA is a model for the nation. We will defend it.”
Councilor Green credits his office, primarily Erik Dean, Ph.D., senior policy advisor, for his research and analysis. Download the full report on this Resources and Publications page.
Read this Opinion in the Oregonian by Guest Columnist and Professor Emerita of Economics, Mary King.
City Council is hosting its first forum and meeting about Sanctuary City status and what it means for Portland. This presentation is taking place on Tuesday at the Community and Public Safety Committee Meeting from 2 – 4:30 p.m. There will be no public testimony, but Council is arranging other forums to continue this conversation soon.
Councilor Green’s office has received a large volume of emails and messages on social media expressing their concerns about ICE and federal agents in Portland. Councilor Green is listening to community members and their various demands about keeping Portlanders safe and prepared. He is aware of the events happening daily in South Waterfront, the threats to human and environmental safety, the chemical munitions being deployed, and several accounts from community members about what they’re seeing and experiencing on site and as residents of the neighborhood. Councilor Green has stated that any instance of local law enforcement working with ICE is alarming and unacceptable.
Councilors and community organizations, particularly those working closest with people who are most at risk for raids, arrests, and ongoing threats of ICE in their neighborhoods, are exploring a range of actions that prioritize the most vulnerable. Councilor Green is speaking directly with these groups and people who have been most experienced with addressing civil rights violations and protecting communities at risk.
One clear demand from immigrant rights organizations we were asked to communicate is to take trainings on how to identify ICE in neighborhoods and how to properly report sightings to the Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition rapid response hotline: 1-888-622-1510.
Join a local group arranging mutual aid, food deliveries, and income loss support for people who cannot safely be out in public or whose families have been negatively impacted by ICE detention of a loved one.
Thank you for your urgency and consistent advocacy in keeping Portland safe and connected.
June 24: Council Work Session on the Parks Levy from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
June 24: Community and Public Safety Committee Meeting from 2 – 4:30 p.m. with presentations on fireworks ban and enforcement, and Sanctuary City status
June 25: Special Council Meeting from 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. on amending noise ordinance, expanding Portland Street response, amending System Development Charge exemptions, and amending Council procedures and code with tie-breaking rule
June 25: PBOT Transportation System Plan (TSP) Community Advisory Committee Kickoff Meeting from 6 – 8 p.m.
|
