Portland Mayor Keith Wilson pledged to prioritize public safety in his proposed $8.5 billion “back to basics” city budget, but at least three city councilors are raising questions about that approach as the city seeks to bridge a $150 million budget gap.
Historically, Portland’s mayor and City Council have agreed to protect the Police Bureau’s budget, even as other core city services have faced cuts. The exception came in 2020, amid roiling social justice protests, when the City Council redirected $15 million from police.
Now the pendulum appears to be swinging back to that moment five years ago…