Few attend May 5 budget listening session
At least they heard from the public employee unions
About 50 people attended a city budget listening session held at Chapman Elementary School last night, but I didn’t recognize any of them.
I certainly recognized the three District 4 city councilors, all of whom shared their surprise at the poor turnout.
The crowd was dominated by city employees speaking in defense of their jobs and the programs they work for. Many wore union T-shirts. Almost every speaker criticized proposed spending cuts.
Many defended the Portland Fire & Rescue Community Health Assess and Treat (CHAT) program. On the other hand, cutting homeless camp sweeps was highly popular, drawing robust applause every time. The audience may have shown even more antipathy for remodeling the Moda Center, an estimated $400 million tab considered pivotal to keep the Trail Blazers in town.
After the abbreviated meeting, I talked to neighbors outside the building who said they would have attended had they known about it ahead of time.
Thanks for the summary of the Budget Listening meeting for D4. I can't help but wonder if the sparse attendance wasn't a reflection of the fact that many 'random citizens' may simply feel like their voices aren't heard by some of the Council Members whose minds are already made up on what is worth keeping and what should be cut in the new budget.
Mayor Wilson's recent letter to constituents calls out how so many Council discussions are being dominated by well organized/vocal groups which are making it challenging if not impossible for some to get their points across.
From Wilson's letter:
Here’s the problem. The “pros” have gotten very good at gaming the public testimony system. They know just when to sign up to testify, take up as many slots as they can, push rigged constituent surveys, and coordinate on messaging. It’s not very democratic to drown out, shout down, or intimidate everyday Portlanders who are just there to get local government to listen.
While these groups deserve credit for their organizing, I don't know that they accurately represent the majority of constituents. I suspect we'll find that out in the November elections for Districts 3 and 4.
Only a masochist--or the self-interested--should go anywhere near any of these dreary sessions. Better you should read the monthly auditor's accounts of lobbying...gee, Teacher Tiffany got to go on a junket to DC paid for by the Japanese consulate. And the city's leading builder of "affordable" housing, Related NW, spent $20,000 in one month kanoodling with various people who can give them fat contracts. And the list of five-figure lobbying goes on and on..lots of "listening" there.
As for the mopes in the audience...better you should spend the evening talking to your dog.