We applaud Mayor Wilson and the majority of the Portland City Council that sided with the overwhelming community outrage, and strongly rejected the last-minute amendment that would have gutted the most critical basic city services. We strongly encourage you to reach out and say thank you to Mayor Keith Wilson, Council President Elana Pirtle-Guiney and Councilors Olivia Clark, Steve Novick, Dan Ryan, Loretta Smith, and Eric Zimmerman.
The last minute proposal from Councilor Angelita Morillo (District 3) sought to amend the 2025-26 city budget to cut $4.3 million from Portland’s Impact Reduction Program (IRP) — the team that removes trash, hazardous waste, and debris from public spaces across the city. The proposal would also have cut $1 million from the Portland Parks Bureau and $1 million from public safety less than a week after voters approved a 75% tax increase to protect core parks and public safety. She also proposed cutting $3.25 million from Prosper Portland, eliminating small business support programs.
This proposal would have crippled the City of Portland’s ability to respond to unsafe and unsanitary conditions in neighborhoods, parks, and greenways. It would mean fewer cleanups, more trash and needles, and greater risks for both housed and unhoused Portlanders.
The community response was swift, overwhelming, and fierce. Over 1,000 business owners, business and neighborhood associations, and community members filled City Hall and provided written testimony.
We are proud of our members and the greater community for showing up and speaking out for a safe, clean, livable Portland.
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