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In a Wednesday appearance on Oregon Public Broadcasting, Mayor Charlie Hales robustly maintained his stance that he won't send his $46 million street fee to voters—and argued that's partly because he didn't have the backers to fight the Portland Business Alliance.
"Let's get real about the campaign issue," Hales said on Think Out Loud. "Look, I don't know if you've volunteered on a campaign, but I have on lots of 'em. And they are work. So the question is: What's the street funding proposal that you will put on your walking shoes and your rain gear for, and go door-to-door for, for the next six months?"
Eight left-wing activist groups have given Hales an answer: Tax the rich a little more, and we'll knock on doors.
In a letter sent this morning to all five members of City Council, the coalition—which includes environmental group 1000 Friends of Oregon, the Bicycle Transportation Alliance and pedestrian advocates Oregon Walks—say they will campaign for the street fee, on the condition it places a larger tax burden on the wealthy and dedicates more money to safety projects like sidewalks.
"Should a proposal eventually be referred to voters," the groups write, "our willingness to join the 'Yes' campaign and invest resources in upholding this proposal will likely depend on whether the City Council passes a truly progressive package, one that is fairer for the middle class and places a stronger emphasis on safety."
The Portland Mercury first reported Wednesday night that OPAL Environmental Justice Oregon had sent the same letter. In less than 24 hours, seven more activist groups have signed on.
The Portland Business Alliance has indicated it will help refer the street fee to voters if it includes an income tax. (Petroleum lobbyist Paul Romain has said his clients will probably refer the proposal regardless of its structure.) The income tax Hales is proposing starts at $60 a year and rises to $900 a year—although the largest tax burden falls on the upper middle class.
The groups signed on to this morning's letter don't have the business lobby's deep pocketbooks, but they could mobilize large contingents of volunteers to campaign for the fee.
City Commissioner Steve Novick, the architect of the income tax, says he's buoyed by the support.
"It's really encouraging to see groups you don't normally associate with transportation taking transportation on as a cause," he tells WW, "and groups you don't normally associate with tax policy taking on tax fairness as a cause. An exciting coalition!"
A City Council hearing on the street fee proposal is scheduled for 2 pm today. The council is expected to vote Dec. 3.
Here's the full letter:
WWeek 2015