In Early Days, Parks Levy Campaign Rakes In $53,580

A political action committee set up by stakeholders eager to pass the five-year Portland Parks Levy on the November ballot has already raked in $53,580 from unions, current and former elected officials, and the city’s chamber of commerce.

Referred to the fall ballot by the Portland City Council after months of brokering between the Portland Metro Chamber and elected officials, the levy—which would impose a $1.40 tax per $1,000 of assessed property value, nearly a doubling of the current 80-cent levy—has broad support among unions, elected officials and business groups.

The current Parks Levy of 80 cents per $1,000 of assessed value expires next year. Should the measure fail at the ballot box, parks officials have warned, the consequences would be dire. Without a new levy, the parks bureau has said it would be forced to cut 50% of its programs.

Should the measure pass, parks leaders say they can maintain all existing programming and assets, and also spend a portion the revenue fixing bathroom roofs and playground equipment.

Broad support of the levy is reflected in public campaign finance records, which show money is already flowing into the PAC Portlanders for Parks.

Oregon AFSCME Local 75 contributed $20,000 to the PAC. Former Mayor Ted Wheeler contributed $1,000. Councilors Olivia Clark and Steve Novick each contributed $500. SEIU Local 49 contributed $10,000, while LiUNA Local 483 contributed $7,000 and IBEW Local 48 (which represents electricians) contributed $2,500. The Portland Metro Chamber’s political action arm contributed $2,500.

Correction: A previous version of this story noted that a small portion of the levy would be used on defunct parks assets. In fact, a small portion will be used on fixing bathroom roofs and playground assets that have deferred maintenance but are still in operation.