Blog
A Tale of Two Counties: Multnomah’s Flawed Deflection Program vs. King County’s (Seattle) Proven LEAD Model
The Multnomah County Deflection Center program, launched as an untested model, is not only failing to deliver results but is doing so at an astonishing and rising cost. It's time to ask a serious question: why are we investing in a failing program when a proven, cost-effective alternative exists just a few hours north in Seattle?
Op-ed: Affordability in Portland is facing death by a thousand cuts
Local governments are steadily layering new taxes, fees, and rate hikes—often under the radar—on the same group of residents and small businesses already struggling with affordability. While housing costs remain a central issue, the real problem is broader. From utility bills to permitting fees, and from local taxes to new surcharges, Portlanders are facing a steady stream of financial hits. Taken together, they represent a “death by a thousand cuts” that’s quietly but relentlessly undermining the city’s livability for working families.
Why the Multnomah County Deflection Program is Failing: A Critical Analysis
After reviewing the recently released Deflection Program First Quarter and Second Quarter reports, we at Partnership for Progress find alarming and worsening evidence that this program is not only underperforming but represents a massive misallocation of public resources at a time when overdose deaths continue to devastate our community.
Portland's Path Forward: A Bold Plan to Reclaim Our Streets and Restore Hope
Portland's homelessness crisis has reached a breaking point. Even though Multnomah County spent over $500 million in 2024 on homeless services, the number of people living on our streets continues to rise. Tragically, despite large increases in county and city funding for homeless services, the number of deaths in the homeless community has actually increased by 37% per year from 2019 and 2023 (the last year we have data). Importantly, the impact to public safety and neighborhood vibrancy should not be ignored. Our community's safety, public health, and reputation are all at stake.
The brutal truth: Our current approach has failed.
Rethinking Portland's Tax Narrative
Multnomah County’s “Preschool for All” (PFA) tax was launched with high hopes: an ambitious, progressive funding model aimed at providing universal early childhood education. But three years in, the results paint a starkly different picture. Revenues are falling, migration data signals a loss of high-income earners, and the program’s implementation is lagging behind its promise.
Even Governor Tina Kotek—long a champion of early childhood education—has now publicly called for urgent reforms, citing the program’s unsustainable tax model and operational failures. This article analyzes why Portland’s unique and overlapping tax structure is driving economic strain, how the PFA tax contributes to out-migration, and why reform is not just prudent—it’s imperative.
Your Voice, Your Impact: Success Stories
Your Voice, Your Impact: Success Stories
Over the last three months, Partnership for Progress (P4P) has proven that when Portland residents unite behind common sense policies, real change happens. Through strategic advocacy campaigns, P4P has galvanized community voices to secure critical wins for public safety, fiscal accountability, and government transparency. Here's how your engagement made the difference.
A Pivotal Moment for Portland’s Future
Portland is at a crossroads. With crime still disrupting too many lives, police response times still too slow, and livability concerns mounting, our city needs strong, smart investments in public safety now more than ever.
As Mayor Wilson explained, "We're looking at how the decision to remove $1.9 million in proposed PPB funding may impede our efforts to recruit a next generation of law enforcement first responders who will represent and serve our community, as well as the critical missions that get pounds of fentanyl and human trafficking victims off our streets."
City Council Votes to Cut Public Safety...For Now
The recent council budget vote demonstrates a dramatic divergence between public opinion and the council voting record. Taken together, the polls show that 77% of people surveyed felt that “nonemergency” police services were essential or very important; 69% supported doubling police staffing; and 55% disapproved cuts to the police budget. Yet the majority of City Council voted to cut the Mayor’s proposed public safety budget.
The Chief of Police has noted that the budget cuts will result in a reduction of essential services. Recruitment and hiring will be impacted as well as specific crime reduction missions that PPB is conducting in high-crime areas as well as special operations to disrupt criminal activity and improve neighborhood safety.
City Budget: Unsurprising new poll reveals that people actually like safe streets and neighborhoods!
This Wednesday, May 21st, our City Council will make critical decisions on the FY25-26 budget, decisions that will directly impact the safety and prosperity of our city. The results of recent polling are clear: Portlanders demand a well-staffed public safety system. We must act now to ensure our voices are heard.
Protect Progress: Invest in Public Safety and Justice in Multnomah County
Despite ongoing public safety challenges, the District Attorney's Office faces potential funding cuts that could undermine recent progress and jeopardize essential services.
Multnomah County Deflection Center: Costly Fiasco?
The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners launched its deflection program in September 2024 as an alternative to arrest for individuals with substance use disorders. After reviewing the recently released Deflection Program First Quarter report, we at Partnership for Progress find alarming evidence that this program is not only underperforming but represents a massive misallocation of public resources.
City Council Budget Survey
Portland faces a critical $93 million budget shortfall that will require difficult decisions. A recent survey of 600 residents conducted by DHM Research reveals how our city views potential solutions.
New Data Reveals Shocking Failure of County's Homeless Strategies
Alarming new data released by Multnomah County officials has confirmed what many taxpayers have long suspected: despite unprecedented levels of funding flowing into homeless services, the crisis continues to worsen at a staggering rate.
Multnomah County's Preschool Tax: A Fiscal Accountability Crisis
Our investigation into Multnomah County's Preschool Tax fund reveals a troubling pattern of financial misrepresentation and lack of transparency. Most concerning is the massive $485 million fund balance accumulated by the end of FY2024—a figure that continues to grow while the County simultaneously claims financial distress.
House Bill 2467: A Critical Reform for Mental Health Care
On April 3, 2025, the House Committee on Judiciary heard testimony on House Bill 2467 – legislation that could fundamentally transform how Oregon helps people with untreated severe mental illness, particularly those experiencing homelessness in Portland.
Progress for Public Safety
Portland’s public safety challenges stem not from a dearth of viable solutions, but from a lack of effective governance.
Introducing Partnership for Progress: Together for a Better Portland
We're excited to announce the formation of Partnership for Progress, a new community initiative dedicated to fostering positive change in our city.