RENEW FIVE-YEAR LEVY FOR CHILDREN'S INVESTMENT FUND
QUESTION: Shall Portland continue supporting child abuse prevention, foster children, early childhood, after school programs, renewing five-year levy starting 2009?
This Measure may cause property taxes to increase by more than three percent.
SUMMARY: Measure would continue financing the Children's Investment Fund to support proven programs designed to help children arrive at school ready to learn, provide safe and constructive after school alternatives for kids, help foster children and prevent child abuse and neglect and family violence.
This Children's Investment Fund can only be used for:
- Child abuse prevention and intervention : addressing juvenile crime, school failure, drug and alcohol abuse and homeless youth.
- Early childhood programs : making childcare more affordable and preparing children for success in school.
- After school, summer and mentoring programs : promoting academic achievement, reducing the number of juveniles victimized by crime and increasing graduation rates.
- Children in foster care programs: helping foster children succeed who have been abused and neglected.
Accountability measures include:
- Programs funded must be cost effective and have a proven record of success.
- Investment fund subject to oversight by a citizen committee.
- Investment fund subject to annual audits.
- Administrative costs cannot exceed 5%.
Levy is $0.4026 per $1000 of assessed property value, and produces an estimated $14 million per year for 5 years.
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Renewal of the Portland Children's Levy
Measure 26-94 will renew the Portland Children's Levy at the same tax rate that voters approved when they established the Portland Children's Investment Fund in 2002.
By renewing the Children's Levy, Portland will continue to support the Children's Investment Fund which funds proven programs to help kids succeed, and protect them from abuse and crime.
The Portland Children's Investment Fund supports programs for more than 15,000 children annually that might otherwise grow up without a healthy start and the positive influences that lead to success in school and beyond.
The Portland Children's Investment Fund invests only in proven, cost-effective programs that:
- Ensure children are ready to learn and achieve greater academic success. This also eases the burdens on our schools and teachers because children are better prepared and there are fewer disruptive children in the classroom.
- Prevent children from becoming victims of crime. The Levy supports programs that give kids safe, constructive things to do during the hours they are most at risk of getting into trouble or becoming victimized.
- Protects children from child abuse and neglect . The Levy prevents and protects children from terrible circumstances, and works to eliminate the greatest risk factor for juvenile crime, drug and alcohol abuse and homeless youth.
The Portland Children's Investment Fund
Measure 26-94 will renew the Portland Children's Investment Fund through a five-year property tax levy. The rate will remain as same as voters approved in 2002. The money this levy raises can only be used for proven programs to serve children in the following areas:
- Child abuse prevention and intervention : addressing juvenile crime, school failure, drug and alcohol abuse and homeless youth.
- Early childhood programs : making childcare more affordable and preparing children for success in school.
- After school, summer and mentoring programs : promoting academic achievement, reducing the number of juveniles victimized by crime and increasing graduation rates.
- Children in foster care programs: helping foster children succeed who have been abused and neglected.
These four areas have been chosen because they provide the greatest payoff both in terms of improving children's lives and providing long-term savings to the community. Leading economic experts agree that early childhood education has the highest return of any public investment – as much as $17 saved for every dollar spent. With the average cost to jail a juvenile offender at $59,000 per year, the Levy's focus on helping children succeed is designed to be a prudent investment in our future.
Accountability Measures
Measure 26-94 contains several elements to ensure accountability, efficiency and effectiveness:
- Only supports programs that are cost-effective and proven to work
- Oversight by a citizens committee
- Administrative expenses are limited to 5% or less.
- Annual independent audits.
Submitted by:
Portland City Council
Mayor Tom Potter,
Commissioner Sam Adams,
Commissioner Nick Fish,
Commissioner Randy Leonard,
Commissioner Dan Saltzman
Measure No. 26-94 | City of Portland
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
Renew the Portland Children's Levy
Vote YES on Measure 26-94
In 2002, Portland voters made children a higher priority by establishing the Portland Children's Levy. Since then, it has funded 67 proven programs providing critically needed services to 16,000 children. A YES vote on Measure 26-94 will renew the Children's Levy at exactly the same rate that we are paying now.
Proven Programs That Make a Difference
The Children's Levy funds programs that are demonstrated to work in the following areas:
- Early childhood education.
- After school and mentoring.
- Child abuse prevention and intervention.
These programs have gotten results:
- Improved academic achievement
- Increased school attendance
- Decreased behavioral problems
- Reduced the amount of child abuse in the city
Measure 26-94 will also fund programs to help children in foster care succeed.
A Wise Investment
Leading economic experts agree that early childhood education has the highest return of any public investment- as much as $17 is saved for every dollar spent. The average cost to jail a juvenile offender is $59,000 per year. This kind of early intervention will save our community millions of dollars in the long run. Child abuse also takes a terrible toll on the lives of children and places a great burden on public resources. Stopping it pays dividends for all of us.
Citizen Oversight and Strict Accountability
With the Portland Children's Levy, we can have confidence that the money is being spent as promised. Administrative costs are capped at 5% -- in fact, over the last 5 years the administrative costs have been less than that. There is also a Citizen Advisory Committee that holds public meetings to monitor spending and evaluate program effectiveness.
Renew the Portland Children's Levy:
A great example of Portland doing things right.
VOTE YES ON MEASURE 26-94
Questions?
Please visit www.childrenslevy.com or call (503) 224-5160
(This information furnished by Dan Saltzman, Committee for Safe and Successful Children)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
Measure No. 26-94 | City of Portland
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
A Message from the Citizens Oversight Committee
For more than five years the Children's Levy has made Portland kids a higher priority by investing in programs which have proven to help our kids.
When voters first passed the Children's Levy in 2002, a citizens' oversight committee was set up to ensure that the levy made good investments and spent its money wisely. As the citizen members of the oversight committee, we work hard to make sure that the money the levy raises is spent effectively - on investments that make a big difference in the lives of Portland children.
We oversee investments that improve the lives of 16,000 children each year. The levy's programs support children who might otherwise grow up without a healthy start and the positive influences that lead to success in school and beyond.
We research and review the programs that the Levy invests in, ensuring that Portland gets the greatest possible return on its investment. Administrative costs for the Children's Levy are kept under 5 percent. The programs we invest in are proven programs that have been shown to work.
The Children's Levy invests in programs which have proven to:
- Improve academic achievement
- Decrease behavioral problems
- Increase School Attendance
- Reduce Child Abuse
By voting YES on Measure 26-94 Portland will be able to continue to invest in our children and provide them the future they deserve. The Children's Levy is a great example of Portland doing things right.
Ron Beltz
Alissa Keny-Guyer
Adrienne Livingston
(This information furnished by Alissa Keny-Guyer)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
Measure No. 26-94 | City of Portland
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
MEASURE 26-94
A GOOD EXAMPLE OF PORTLAND DOING THINGS RIGHT
The Children's Levy is Proven and Effective
“The program works. Ninety-five percent of the taxes collected go directly to help get youngsters ready for kindergarten and first grade, break patterns of domestic violence, offer safe and productive after-school activities, and expand mentoring by proper role models.”
The Portland Tribune . February 8, 2008 .
“The Children's Investment Fund is now on track to serve 66,962 children and 13,463 parents … these are impressive numbers.”
The Oregonian . February 20, 2008 .
The Children's Levy is Accountable to Voters
“Organizers can point to a long list of promises made -- and kept.
In 2002, they pledged to keep administrative costs at 5 percent, and spend 95 percent of the tax money they raised on actual services for children. Done.
They said they would leverage the taxes they collected by going after grant money. Done.
They promised to spend money only to replicate successful programs, not to experiment… Done.”
The Oregonian. February 20, 2008 .
Vote YES on Measure 26-94
Renew the Portland Children's Levy
(This information furnished by Dan Saltzman, Committee for Safe and Successful Children)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
Measure No. 26-94 | City of Portland
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
A Message from Stand for Children
Renew the Children's Levy, vote YES on Measure 26-94
Six years ago, Stand for Children members worked tirelessly to pass the Children's Levy, and create the Portland Children's Investment Fund. Since then, the Fund has delivered on its promises to kids and the community by investing in cost effective, proven programs that make children a higher priority in our community.
It is time to renew our commitment to Portland 's children.
Stand for Children is a proud endorser of Measure 26-94, which will renew the Children's Levy at the exact same rate as we are paying now. The health and vitality of Portland depends on the well-being of our children and families. Unfortunately, too many children's opportunities are narrowed by poverty, violence, and abuse. When we don't address these problems, it hurts our entire community in the long run.
Measure 26-94 invests in Portland 's children who need it the most. Each year, the Children's Investment Fund serves 16,000 of Portland 's children, at least half of whom live in poverty. Renewing the Children's Levy is particularly important right now- these programs are especially critical in uncertain economic times when even more families and children need the support this levy provides.
Measure 26-94 invests in programs that work. If approved by voters, the Fund will continue to invest in cost-effective and proven programs that improve children's lives through:
- Early education
- After school and mentoring
- Child abuse prevention and intervention
- Helping children in foster care succeed
Portland is a city that cares about children. This is a great example of our city doing things right. Vote YES on Measure 26-94 to renew the Children's Levy and create a better future for Portland 's kids.
Let's renew our commitment to kids.
Let's renew the Portland Children's Levy.
Jonah Edelman
Executive Director
Stand for Children
(This information furnished by Jonah Edelman, Executive Director, Stand for Children)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
Measure No. 26-94 | City of Portland
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
A MESSAGE FROM LARRY LINNE
2008 Child Abuse Investigator of the Year
Measure 26-94 Will Protect our Children from Abuse
Child abuse is a tragic and pervasive problem in Portland . The Portland Police and the Child Abuse Hotline collectively receive an average of over 100 calls a day concerning abuse related issues. Sadly, many more than that go unreported.
As a former Child Abuse Detective and supervisor for the Portland Police, I saw first hand the horrendous abuse many children in Portland have been forced to endure. And, too often the victims did not survive – they died at the hands of their abusers.
For those children who do survive, the long term impacts of that abuse is devastating. That is why I believe we must do everything we can to prevent the tragic cycle of abuse from occurring before it happens , and to get children in our community the resources they need to overcome the effects of abuse and molestation when it does occur.
In 2002 Portland supported the Children's Levy to provide services to children when they are abused, and fund programs to intervene to prevent abuse from occurring. The Children's Levy has successfully helped reduce the incidence of child abuse in Portland , and made a huge difference in the lives of children who have been victimized. We can't stop now.
Children who are abused and are not provided services all too often become abusers themselves. Abused kids have an increased chance of becoming alcohol and drug users, and many become homeless. Abuse not only costs the precious lives of children, it costs us, as taxpayers. Preventing abuse is far cheaper paying for the consequences of abuse.
That is why I am urging you to Vote Yes on Measure 26-94 , and renew the Children's Levy. Our children deserve to be protected from the horrific effects of child abuse.
Larry Linne
Detective Sergeant, Portland Child Abuse Team (retired)
2008 Child Abuse Investigator of the Year
(This information furnished by Larry Linne)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
Measure No. 26-94 | City of Portland
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
A Message from Shelley Barnes, a parent
The Portland Children's Levy is Making A Difference.
It Made a Difference for Us.
As a mother and a grandmother, I think it is incredibly important to continue investing in programs that make a real difference in the lives of Portland 's children. That is why I supported the Portland Children's Levy when voters first approved it 5 years ago.
I just had no idea it would be so important for my family.
Four years ago, my two grandchildren experienced an unimaginable trauma. In an instant, their lives were turned upside-down, and just as suddenly, my husband and I were responsible for raising our two small grandchildren.
We knew there was something terribly wrong with our 3 year old grandson. He didn't speak; he had no safety awareness and had terrible behavior with every transition. We didn't know where to turn.
Luckily, there is a therapeutic pre-school for children sponsored by Albertina Kerr Centers and funded in part by the Portland Children's Levy. The Kerr Early Intervention Program provided us with mental health professionals who worked directly with our grandson and with our family. The pre-school classroom had behavior specialists working in collaboration with the teacher. We had access to a child psychiatrist and parent training programs. Most critically, we had support from truly caring people during a time of family crisis.
Our grandson today is a happy and successful first grader in a general education classroom.
My husband and I have lived our whole lives in Portland , and have always been contributing members of our community. We never thought we would face this kind of challenge. Without programs like this, I don't know where our family would be today. This is why I urge you to vote YES on Measure 26-94, to make sure programs like this can continue providing essential services to children that need them the most.
Shelley Barnes
(This information furnished by Shelley Barnes)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
Measure No. 26-94 | City of Portland
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
Teachers Say Vote Yes on Measure 26-94
We all benefit when we invest in children.
As teachers, we see promise and potential in every one of our students. Each day, we also see children facing enormous challenges—both in the classroom and at home. As educators, and as a community, we need to do everything in our power to see to it that children arrive at school ready to learn, and have a safe place to go after the school bell rings.
We strongly support Measure 26-94, the Portland Children's Levy, not just because it helps children, but because it also helps us in our classrooms.
The Children's Levy invests only in proven, cost-effective programs, many of which have a direct positive impact on the schools. These programs:
- Ensure children are ready to learn when they start their academic career. This eases the burdens on our classrooms because children arrive at school better prepared.
- Support academic success through high school to keep kids on the right path.
- Keep children safe from abuse, neglect and crime. Whenever a child is victimized it is a tragedy in its own right. But what happens outside of school also has a real impact on what happens inside the classroom.
Students are our top priority every day. The Children's Levy helps show that children are a priority for all of us. It is a great example of Portland doing things right, and we're proud to live in a city that shares our values. We urge you to vote YES on Measure 26-94 to renew the Children's Levy.
Cheryl Bland, Teacher
David Douglas School District
Tim Kniser, Teacher
Portland Public Schools
Kandi Royce, Teacher
Parkrose School District
(This information furnished by Kandi Royce, Parkrose High School)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
Measure No. 26-94 | City of Portland
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
Please Give Kids like Me a Chance to Succeed
Vote Yes on Measure 26-94
Because of the Boys & Girls Club afterschool programs, which are funded by the Portland Children's Levy, I have a chance to succeed in life.
I grew up in a neighborhood dominated by gangs. I lived in constant fear that I might become a victim of gang violence. By the age twelve, I knew I wanted to succeed in life - I didn't want to be in a gang, or be hurt in a random act of violence. That's when I found the afterschool programs at the Boy's & Girls Club, programs which are supported by the Children's Levy.
To keep safe after school I would board a bus and ride for hours . One day while riding the bus I noticed the sign for a Boys & Girls Club. I knew that I could be safe at the Club. I soon started taking a variety of programs at the Club, including leadership development programs, programs emphasizing community service, and programs to teach career services. I continued to attend these programs at the Club for six years.
This spring, I graduated from high school with a 3.86 grade point average. This fall I will be taking college classes and have received scholarships to help me attend.
I don't believe I would have made it safely through school, have graduated from high school and be attending college without the help of the Boys & Girls Club, which is funded by the Children's Levy. Unfortunately, many of my childhood friends have not graduated from high school. Worse yet, some of my friends were injured by violence, or are in jail because they committed violent acts.
Please vote yes on Measure 26-94, the Children's Levy, to continue to give kids like me a chance to succeed in life.
Thank you,
Ashley Turner
(This information furnished by Ashley Turner)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
Measure No. 26-94 | City of Portland
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
Why This Senior is Voting YES on Measure 26-94
At the age of 77, I still pay very close attention to what is on my ballot – especially anything having to do with our children's future. I have looked very carefully at what the Children's Levy has accomplished over the last six years and want to share with you why I will be voting to renew the levy.
The Children's Levy has already made a tremendous difference in the lives of thousands of children throughout our city. It has prepared children to succeed in school and later in life. It has kept children safe from abuse and violence.
In fact, the Children's Levy is especially important in today's tough economy. When times get tough financially, the youngest members of our community often feel the greatest effects.
Our community also gets a great benefit from the levy. By keeping kids safe, healthy, and successful we avoid far greater costs. For every dollar we spend on early childhood education, we save $17 in long-term cost – it costs us taxpayers over $59,000 a year just to jail a juvenile offender. I'd much rather keep our kids safe and educated than pay for them to be jailed later in life.
Of course, it is always nice to know that by saying yes to the levy we won't be raising our taxes. We'll be paying the same amount that we have been since 2002, and can continue to help Portland 's children.
The Portland Children's levy is a good value and an even better investment. But the reason to support its renewal isn't all about dollars and cents. It is also about doing the right thing to help the next generation – and our community – succeed.
Please join me in voting YES on Measure 26-94 – our kids need our support now more than every before.
Sincerely,
Wanda Silverman
(This information furnished by Wanda Silverman)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
Measure No. 26-94 | City of Portland
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
Renew the Portland Children's Levy
INVEST IN OUR CHILDREN, INVEST IN OUR FUTURE
In 2002, Portland voters made children a higher priority and created the Portland Children's Levy. Since then, it has delivered on its promises to children and to our community by supporting programs that make a real difference in the lives of 16,000 children each year.
The levy currently funds 67 programs for children from birth to high school proven to:
- Prevent Child Abuse
- Increase Academic Achievement
- Help Children in Foster Care Succeed
Here are just a few of the programs the Levy funds and what they do:
Children's Receiving Center – Emergency care and medical assessments for victims of abuse and neglect who have been removed from their homes.
Salvation Army West Women's & Children's Shelter – Intervention services for children of victims of domestic violence
Children's Relief Nursery – Classroom based care for children and parenting education to prevent abuse and neglect
Big Brothers Big Sisters – Mentoring programs specifically aimed to help foster children
Head Start & Early Head Start – Programs that ensure children arrive at school ready to learn
Albertina-Kerr Centers – Classroom based therapeutic care for children with special needs
Child Care Improvement Project – Improving the quality of in-home child care providers
Boys & Girls Club – After school programs, tutoring, and mental health services
Self Enhancement, Inc. – Afterschool programs to improve overall academic achievement
SMART – Literacy programs to ensure academic success
Vote YES on Measure 26-94 to continue to support proven cost effective programs.
CONTINUE MAKING PORTLAND's CHILDREN a HIGHER PRIORITY
(This information furnished by Dan Saltzman, Committee for Safe & Successful Children)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
Measure No. 26-94 | City of Portland
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
A Message from Portland Business Leaders
Measure 26-94: A Smart Investment in Our Future
As Portland business people, we understand that if you make an investment, you want to make sure that you will get a good return on that investment. You don't want to gamble: you want to make investments with a proven track record, and you want to have confidence in how your money is being spent.
The Portland Children's Levy has proven itself to be a good investment – it's provided real results for our community - that's why we support Measure 26-94.
The health and vitality of Portland is linked to the well being of our children and families. Unfortunately, many of our children face a host of challenges including widespread poverty, juvenile violence and child abuse.
By addressing these problems the Portland Children's Levy strengthens our public safety system, helps attract and retain families to our neighborhoods, and creates a better-educated workforce. All of these things make Portland more attractive for companies thinking about investing or locating here.
A Proven Success Providing Real Results: The Portland Children's Levy has achieved significant results for our city. Its programs have improved academic achievement, increased school attendance, decreased behavioral problems in students, and reduced the amount of child abuse in the city.
Money Well-Spent and Carefully Tracked: The Portland Children's Levy uses independent audits, citizen oversight and caps administrative expenses to less than 5% to ensure that the money is spent effectively, and on what we voted for.
Renewing the Children's Levy will make Portland a better place to live and do business. This is a great example of Portland doing things right.
The bottom line: voting yes on Measure 26-94 is a smart investment.
Fred Sanchez
Designated Broker
Realty Brokers
Mary Edmeades
Vice President and Manager
Albina Community Bank
William D. Gander
President
Standard TV and Appliance
Justin Delaney
Vice President
Standard Insurance Company
Tom Kelly
President
Neil Kelly, Inc.
(This information furnished by Tom Kelly, President, Neil Kelly, Inc.)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
Measure No. 26-94 | City of Portland
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest Supports
Measure 26-94, the Portland Children's Levy
Big Brothers Big Sisters helps children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with mentors that have a measurable impact on youth.
The Children's Levy support was the foundation upon which our organization built critical programs for at-risk children in our community. When Portlanders voted to create the Children's Levy in 2002, they said YES to programs that work. The results Big Brothers Big Sisters has achieved speak for themselves:
- Project Hope- in which 233 children in foster care have been matched with caring mentors; in many cases, the mentor is the only constant adult presence in their life.
- Community Based Mentoring Program- in which 622 children benefit from having another supportive adult in their lives.
- Latino Mentoring Program- which served 224 children in Portland last year, and has become a national model.
Despite these successes, the reality is that we have only scratched the surface of addressing the urgent needs of children in our community. In Multnomah County alone, there are over 1,500 children living in foster care and according to the Department of Human Services, nearly 80 children enter emergency shelter care each month.
This levy costs each of us so little yet affects the youngest amongst us so much. Portlanders did the right thing in 2002 and we know that we can count on Portlanders to make the right choice again in 2008 for our children. Together, we can change what it means to grow up in Portland .
Vote YES on Measure 26-94!
Lynn Thompson, Chief Executive Officer
Board of Directors:
Elliott Hill, Chair
Ray Davis, Past Chair
John Hancock, Treasurer
Rev. Thomas Doyle, Secretary
Rebecca Armstrong
Scott Bolton
Daryl Dixon
Matt Donegan
C. Marie Eckert
Grace Gallegos
Virginia Hensen
Toni Jaffe
Dave Mason
Mohan Nair
Jake Nichol
Todd Prendergast
Lois Rosenbaum
Jenny Schwenke
Lisa Welch
Steven Wright
(This information furnished by Lynn Thompson, CEO, Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
Measure No. 26-94 | City of Portland
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
A Message from Portland Council PTA
Measure 26-94: Good for Kids. Good for Schools.
Our goal in the Portland Council Parent Teacher Association is to promote the welfare of children at school, at home and in our community as a whole. We strive to create a learning community where each student's strengths can be fostered and challenges can be addressed.
The fact is that what happens inside a classroom is profoundly affected by what happens before a child enters that classroom. All teachers and students benefit when children come ready to learn, academically and behaviorally.
By investing in early education, after school programs and abuse prevention, the Portland Children's Investment Fund improves the classroom experience for students in all five of Portland 's public school districts. That is why we fully support Measure 26-94, the Children's Levy.
We were one of only a handful of cities in the nation to create a program focused on giving our kids the promise of a brighter future. Since 2002, the Children's Levy has delivered on its promises to kids and the community. This is a great example of Portland doing things right, and we can be proud to raise our families a city that makes our children a priority.
Vote YES on Measure 26-94 to renew the Portland Children's Levy.
(This information furnished by Beryl Morrison, Portland Council PTA)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
Measure No. 26-94 | City of Portland
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
The United Way of the Columbia Willamette
Urges a Yes Vote on Measure 26-94
Please Renew the Portland Children's Levy
Founded in 1920, the United Way of the Columbia-Willamette works to advance the common good, create opportunities for a better life for all and create long-lasting change that prevents problems from happening in the first place.
That is why we fully support the goals of the Children's Levy: using proven programs to give children the opportunity to grow up free from abuse and neglect, to succeed in school and to become healthy, productive members of our community.
As an organization that is founded on the principle of fostering collaboration and leveraging community resources across multiple community partners-- we are especially impressed at how the Children's Levy accomplishes these goals.
The Children's Levy uses the funds provided by the citizens of Portland to leverage even greater resources. Over the past 5 years, over $6 million has been generated by matching public and private funds dollar for dollar; allowing more children to be reached and more lives to be touched.
We also support the Children's Levy's requirement to use proven programs, helping ensure the maximum impact for every dollar spent.
This is one of the only programs of its kind in the nation. Portlanders should be proud of their creation of the Children's Levy in 2002. The United Way urges that voters continue to make children a high priority.
Please keep making a difference
In the lives of the children who need it most,
VOTE YES ON MEASURE 26-94
Signed,
United Way of the Columbia-Willamette
(This information furnished by Howard Klink, United Way of the Columbia-Willamette)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.
Measure No. 26-94 | City of Portland
ARGUMENT IN OPPOSITION
Portland wants more tax dollars for special projects!
But why are they wasting the taxes we send now?
• $18 million over-budget on City computers upgrades
The Oregonian 5/7/08
• $24 million in uncollected city parking tickets
KATU 2 TV, 2/25/08
• $30 million to fix water billing computer error
Portland Tribune 1/7/03
• $15 million over-cost on Burnside street job
Portland Tribune 5/7/08
• $100 Million over-cost on Portland sewer project
Portland Tribune 4/15/05
• 76 City employees make over $100,000
The Oregonian 9/30/06
How about Portland Tram? PGE Park ? self-cleaning toilets?... and so many more projects that have been mismanaged or cost taxpayers dearly. These lost tax dollars and lost cost projections impact taxpayer families and their family budgets.
Before you vote for more taxes, make sure the taxes you send are spent wisely!
Keep an eye on politicians, visit OregonWatchdog.com for daily Oregon political news and tax updates
(This information furnished by Jason Williams, Taxpayer Association of Oregon PAC )
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.