The MultDems Vice Chair 1 calls Democrats who care about equity in youth services to contact their city councilors and demand a re-evaluation of Portland Children’s Levy funding

As someone who has spent years navigating the intersection of policy and politics—first as a community advocate and now serving both our Democratic values and the daily realities of city governance—I find myself uniquely positioned to witness moments when our democratic processes are tested and refined. This week’s City Council decision to pause the Children’s Levy funding process is one of those times where our Democratic values get put to the test. This isn’t just about $20 million in annual funding—it’s about whether our city can live up to its promises of transparency and community input. As Democrats, we need to pay attention to how this plays out, because it shows what we really stand for when the pressure is on.

Right now, you have a rare chance to actually influence what happens next.

Background

In response to growing community concerns around the review, evaluation and allocation process of the Portland Children’s Levy (PCL), Portland City Council voted last week to remand the current round of allocations for further review. The decision follows extensive feedback from service providers, community members and city leaders raising questions about the transparency, fairness and equity of the process and evaluation.

During the Tuesday June 3 council session, Councilor Loretta Smith elevated systemic concerns with the overall process, particularly the lack of clear communication, feedback opportunities and procedural consistency. Councilor Angelita Morillo responded by proposing a full remand of the allocation decisions, emphasizing the need to rebuild trust and ensure that the city’s investments of public dollars are spent responsibly. Councilors Candace Avalos, Mitch Green and Sameer Kanal voiced similar concerns that they also heard from the community. Seven of the twelve Councilors voted to support the remand.

Councilor Eric Zimmerman introduced an ordinance that ensures current grantees will receive a one-year extension to avoid any disruption in services during the review period. There was unanimous support for the ordinance. 

The Council will reconvene in the coming weeks to define what the remand process will look like. This pause will allow for a thorough re-evaluation of how funding decisions are made and how community voices especially from historically underserved groups can be better centered.

As Mark Jackson, the Executive Director of REAP Inc. told me: “Supporting legacy organizations who historically demonstrate impact in the lives of Portland area youth not only prioritizes the unique needs of diverse communities, it further serves as a stabilizer for established relationships and trust build over time.”

About the Portland Children’s Levy

Voters originally approved the Portland Children’s Levy (PCL) in 2002, and it has been overwhelmingly renewed multiple times since then, most recently in 2023. The levy generates approximately $20 million annually through a property tax of $0.4026 per $1,000 of assessed value. The funding is designated to support proven programs that improve outcomes for Portland’s children, particularly those facing barriers due to race, ethnicity, income or ability.

The Six Program Areas of PCL

• Early Childhood – Promoting kindergarten readiness through high-quality preschool and family support.
• Child Abuse Prevention and Intervention Supporting families and reducing harm through counseling, mentoring and crisis response.
• Foster Care – Providing stability and services for children and youth in the foster care system.
• After-School Programs – Creating safe, supportive environments where students can learn, build skills and grow.
• Mentoring – Matching youth with caring adults to build resilience and connection.
• Youth Programs (Anti-Violence) – Supporting older youth, including those at risk of gang involvement or violence, with workforce training, mental health services and engagement strategies.

City Council’s decision to remand the allocation is not a rejection of the work the levy supports, but a commitment to ensuring the process by which public dollars are distributed reflects the voters’ intention, community will, and the values of equity, accountability and transparency, to ensure that it is a fostered balance and integrated citywide system of services. The Council has shown commitment to supporting children and families while improving the systems that serve them.

The remand of the Children’s Levy is a chance to make things right. We need a process that reflects our values—transparency, equity and trust in the community-based organizations that have long served our kids. This is about more than dollars; it’s about dignity and fairness. I urge Democrats who care about equity in youth services to contact their city councilors and demand a re-evaluation process that follows the ballot language voters approved and also is responsive to and addresses the community concerns.

“It is unacceptable that organizations led by people of color, many of whom are uniquely qualified to serve their communities, are being locked out of access to public funding,” says Multnomah Education Service District Board Member Danny Cage. “Disparate impact is real and alive, it must be a guiding value in the way we distribute resources. As elected leaders, we have a responsibility to ensure our funding processes are equitable, inclusive, and transparent. That means not just listening to community voices, but acting on them. If the Portland Children’s Levy is to truly serve all of Portland’s children, its process must change—starting today.”

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Andre Miller serves as Vice Chair 1 of the Multnomah County Democrat and Chief of Staff for Portland District 3 City Councilor Angelita Morillo.

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