Portland Budget Showdown: PCEF, Shelters, and Trees at the Center

Portland’s City Council spent a marathon budget session negotiating amendments to Mayor Wilson’s plan to close a $160 million gap, with contentious votes over diverting Portland Clean Energy Fund (PCEF) dollars, preserving union jobs, and funding housing, shelters, and parks. Highlights included a unanimous move to establish a city data privacy office; an 8-4 vote to restore Urban Forestry staff; and several high-stakes 6-6 ties on measures to realign funds, pause the core realignment, or fund Albina housing and other shelter projects. Several amendments failed or were withdrawn as councilors grappled with budget reserves ahead of final votes due by June 30, underscoring deep divisions across the chamber.