Mercury Endorsements: No on Measure 26-267 – Community Budgeting For All

“This measure seeks to implement a participatory budgeting program in Portland, giving residents the chance to decide how to spend a certain amount of the city’s annual budget through an engaged, democratic process. Proponents say it’s a proven way to improve people’s faith in local government, something that’s sorely lacking in Portland right now.

The Mercury’s endorsement team spent hours weighing this measure’s pros and cons, arguing with each other and with ourselves. Ultimately, we have too many concerns to warrant a full-throated endorsement, and we feel it would be irresponsible to give a tepid one. So, forced to choose a binary “yes” or “no” answer (wishy-washy endorsements aren’t much of a public service), we must opt for the latter.”

Read the rest at portlandmercury.com.