We don’t have a budget problem, we have a priorities problem. @portlandmercury.com @oregonian.com @koin6.bsky.social - ThreadSky

councilorzimmerman.bsky.social • 96 days ago

We don’t have a budget problem, we have a priorities problem.

@portlandmercury.com
@oregonian.com
@koin6.bsky.social

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capitalist.bsky.social•96 days ago

just kill the arts tax and I will like you.

councilorzimmerman.bsky.social•96 days ago

The city has a huge budget and as Finance Chair, I take my role seriously. That’s why I added (TRIPLED) the number of budget work sessions beyond the 2 the city administration proposed.

councilorzimmerman.bsky.social•96 days ago

For the first time ever, we’re holding DISTRICT-BASED community listening sessions to hear directly from Portlanders about their priorities.

councilorzimmerman.bsky.social•96 days ago

Meanwhile, the city claims a $100M budget hole—but in the same document and with a serious face, proposes holding over half a billion dollars in contingency. That’s not a budget problem. That’s a priorities problem.

councilorzimmerman.bsky.social•96 days ago

Here’s what I expect:
✅ Zero cuts to public safety
✅ $100M for sidewalks in East & SW Portland
✅ Every park restroom repaired, cleaned & open
✅ A seed fund to move the CEI hub off the Willamette
✅ Fully funded youth recreation programs
✅ No shelter closures this year

councilorzimmerman.bsky.social•96 days ago

If I added up every general fund contingency I’ve seen in my career, it wouldn’t equal what PCEF staff wants to hold in one year.

smklein.bsky.social•96 days ago

That does seem like an astonishingly high number. Who is advocating for half a billion in a contingency fund?
What's their rationale?

(Portland taxes are objectively high, but if they're being USED effectively, I'm okay with that cost. If they're going into funds that are just sitting around...)

councilorzimmerman.bsky.social•96 days ago

I’m not asking Portlanders for more levy taxes while we’re sitting on half a billion dollars that could make neighborhoods safer, parks cleaner, and help improve responsive public safety teams.

sospike.bsky.social•96 days ago

Great work!

Is there any way Multco could contribute? They’re sitting on a lot of money.

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