Mayor Hales Unveils Budget Proposal with More Money for Cops, Taxes for Businesses

Mayor Hales proposed a wide-ranging final budget that includes more money for police, more money for affordable housing, and an increase in the business license fee.

The budget calls for $42.9 million of new investments in three major issues: public safety, affordable housing, homelessness.

"1977. The Blazers won their championship! And that was the last time the business license fee was raised," he said. "That's almost four decades ago."

The mayor is proposing a .3% increase which would raise the the fee to 2.5 percent on profits, which he says would bring in $8.7 million into the city coffers.

Some 60,000 businesses would stay exempt and not pay any business license fee, he said. Meanwhile 15,7000 will pay the minimum - $100 - and $25,200 will see the fee increase on profit to $1,532 a year, from $61l.

"We are a city at a juncture," he said. "We're growing and many Portlanders and businesses are thriving.

"Yet, many others are experiencing the pains that come with growth - gang violence, homelessness, the highest increases in housing prices in the country."

The mayor is also proposing additional money for the police bureau, committing $5.4 for million for recruiting and keeping 90 community oriented officers on the street.

He also proposes spending $260,000 to hire five more street-level gang outreach workers.

The Police Bureau's sexual assault unit would receive two more detectives and a victims advocate.

The budget proposal includes $354 million over ten years for affordable housing.

The mayor says the city will have 800 homeless shelter beds open by mid-summer.

The proposal includes $31.8 million for homeless using placement, campsite cleanup and management, as well as prevention and diversion programs.

The city will also hire 200 interns that would be paid minimum wage.