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Hardesty suggests fully funding parks and making cuts to police, citing issues with body cams and racial profiling
She recommends having private investors find things like the ferry and the street market, rather than use public funds
Hardesty emphasizes the need to fully fund the census, because accurate data gives the city more federal money
Hardesty wants to fund the anti displacement initiative to make sure people in east Portland are protected.
People are now testifying on the Parks budget. Some point out the hypocrisy of discussing racial equity while defunding parks that represent underserved communities
Members of DSA say 52% of arrests in PDX last year were of houseless communities. They urge to stop sweeps, and to not give further money to police who criminalize houseless people.
Constituents urge the city not to cut funds to parks because it gives them community, health, skills. They ask for parks employees to stay
Someone testified about not feeling they have a community because of their disability. Recommended building a dead center. They also did not think the session was publicized enough.
A teacher who works with youth says “you can educate or you can incarcerate, but you cannot have it both ways.” He states that taking away parks programs/centers will hurt these kids.
One constituent says there need to be more hygiene centers so houseless ppl aren’t criminalized for things they can’t avoid, like not having restrooms to use. Wheeler confirms there is budget set aside for hygiene centers.
Sara Iannarone thanks mayor/commissioner Hardesty for funding Portland Street Response, but says the community is being given a false choice. She says if the top 50 wealthiest ppl in pdx were taxed 10%, the City could cover budget shortfalls.
