The Oregonian Portland street fund: Latest public hearing features few new ideas, more distrust of city spending By Andrew Theen January 08, 2015 Portland Mayor Charlie Hales opened the latest public hearing on the controversial push to create new revenue sources for city streets with a familiar plea: He wanted to hear what residents would support, not what they oppose. That overture was largely ignored. While Thursday's public hearing was far less contentious than previous meetings to discuss incarnations of the ever-evolving Portland street fund, there was still little consensus among attendees on what, if anything, they would support. "We've got a few ideas," Hales said, citing previously reported options of a gas tax, income tax, flat fee or local-option levy, "and we're here to ask for more." Thursday's public hearing came one day after Hales shifted the street funding discussion on its head with a new plan to seek a public "advisory vote" on several funding plans in May. At the start of Thursday's hearing, Hales asked participants to talk only about what they would like to see on the ballot. But instead of new ideas, many of the roughly 30 people who testified said the city needs to do a better job of setting spending priorities and cutting programs before asking for new money. Laura Jackson, who said she was a former transportation planner in Washington state, criticized the city for routinely paving roads — then having them torn up months or years later for utility work. Jackson said the city needs to gain trust back from residents. "I'm willing to give you guys money to do this," she said of the transportation package, "but you've got to give something back." Hales urged people to attend yet-to-be-scheduled budget hearings once the 2015-16 budget process ramps up to offer specific suggestions for cutting programs or services. Commissioner Steve Novick said it would be a nice change of pace to have budget meetings where residents pushed for cuts. Normally, the meetings are flush with advocates and interest groups asking for more money for various programs. Portlanders should know more in the next two weeks about funding options the City Council hopes to send to voters as possible ways to raise $44 million each year for street safety and maintenance projects. Of the options floated by Hales as likely to appear as a yes-or-no option on the May ballot, the gas tax increase received the most approval. Bob Clark with the Oregon Taxpayer Association, said he could support a 10 cent gas tax increase. Hales said the proposal could go as high as 20 cents a gallon, but Novick said 13 cents was a likely alternative. Roger Hull, a Northeast Portland resident, said another property tax levy would be too much to bear considering his bill increased 30 percent in one year. "When I was young, I used to read about old people being taxed out of their homes," Hull said. "Now I'm old." He urged the City Council to "figure out how every person who benefits from whatever it is, pays for whatever it is." Clark suggested that the City Council use an expected $19 million in new discretionary general fund money in the upcoming fiscal year entirely for street maintenance projects. According to the city elections officer, Deborah Scroggin, the City Council has until Jan. 22 to submit formal plans in order to make the May ballot. Commissioner Amanda Fritz said there will probably be another public hearing Jan. 20 for residents to review the entire proposal. The business portion of the $44 million proposal appears to be in limbo. On Wednesday, Hales and Novick indicated that the City Council would vote on the business fee this month, but it wouldn't be enacted until a residential fee is approved. Portland street fee hearing Thursday night: Follow coverage, share your thoughts By Michelle Brence January 08, 2015 The Portland City Council is holding a public hearing Thursday night at 6 p.m. to gather more reaction on proposals for raising money to fix Portland streets. The process became more complicated Wednesday after Mayor Charlie Hales scrapped the latest proposal -- one in a string introduced since May, with most meeting heavy opposition -- in favor of asking voters what they think. The new, new plan is to take some nonbinding options to voters in May, then to pursue the one that gets the most votes, even if none get 50 percent. Still following? Finally, opponents could still challenge whatever option the City Council approves by referring it back to voters. City streets are in bad shape because of years of neglected maintenance, but Hales and Commissioner Steve Novick have yet to find a solution that the public – and at least one of the other three City Council members – can support. Commissioners Dan Saltzman and Nick Fish have said they think voters should have a binding say. Commissioner Amanda Fritz, considered the swing vote, rejected the last plan as placing too high a burden on Portland's low-income residents. They haven't said what they think of the new plan to ask voters to weigh in on nonbinding options -- a vote expected to cost $100,000 to $300,000. Overall, Hales and Novick are seeking a way to raise upward of $40 million a year, half from a fee or tax on residents, half from a fee on businesses, nonprofits and agencies. The business side of their proposals has been less controversial, but Hales said in a statement Wednesday that it won't take effect before there's agreement on the residential fee. What do you think? Do you like the idea of having a say on options? Do you have an idea of what you would support among options such as a gas tax, income tax or flat fee based on income? Are the roads in your area in bad shape? Share your thoughts in the comments below. You can watch the public hearing here and follow along on Twitter by following @cityhallwatch and #pdxStreetFee (with a feed embedded below). And check back later tonight for a full report on Thursday night's hearing from Andrew Theen. Portland street fund: Latest public hearing features few new ideas, more distrust of city spending By Andrew Theen January 08, 2015 Portland Mayor Charlie Hales opened the latest public hearing on the controversial push to create new revenue sources for city streets with a familiar plea: He wanted to hear what residents would support, not what they oppose. That overture was largely ignored. While Thursday's public hearing was far less contentious than previous meetings to discuss incarnations of the ever-evolving Portland street fund, there was still little consensus among attendees on what, if anything, they would support. "We've got a few ideas," Hales said, citing previously reported options of a gas tax, income tax, flat fee or local-option levy, "and we're here to ask for more." Thursday's public hearing came one day after Hales shifted the street funding discussion on its head with a new plan to seek a public "advisory vote" on several funding plans in May. At the start of Thursday's hearing, Hales asked participants to talk only about what they would like to see on the ballot. But instead of new ideas, many of the roughly 30 people who testified said the city needs to do a better job of setting spending priorities and cutting programs before asking for new money. Laura Jackson, who said she was a former transportation planner in Washington state, criticized the city for routinely paving roads — then having them torn up months or years later for utility work. Jackson said the city needs to gain trust back from residents. "I'm willing to give you guys money to do this," she said of the transportation package, "but you've got to give something back." Hales urged people to attend yet-to-be-scheduled budget hearings once the 2015-16 budget process ramps up to offer specific suggestions for cutting programs or services. Commissioner Steve Novick said it would be a nice change of pace to have budget meetings where residents pushed for cuts. Normally, the meetings are flush with advocates and interest groups asking for more money for various programs. Portlanders should know more in the next two weeks about funding options the City Council hopes to send to voters as possible ways to raise $44 million each year for street safety and maintenance projects. Of the options floated by Hales as likely to appear as a yes-or-no option on the May ballot, the gas tax increase received the most approval. Bob Clark with the Oregon Taxpayer Association, said he could support a 10 cent gas tax increase. Hales said the proposal could go as high as 20 cents a gallon, but Novick said 13 cents was a likely alternative. Roger Hull, a Northeast Portland resident, said another property tax levy would be too much to bear considering his bill increased 30 percent in one year. "When I was young, I used to read about old people being taxed out of their homes," Hull said. "Now I'm old." He urged the City Council to "figure out how every person who benefits from whatever it is, pays for whatever it is." Clark suggested that the City Council use an expected $19 million in new discretionary general fund money in the upcoming fiscal year entirely for street maintenance projects. According to the city elections officer, Deborah Scroggin, the City Council has until Jan.