Ballot Initiative Strategy Center Releases Statement on Successful Portland Initiative to Fight Homelessness
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 20, 2020
PRESS CONTACT:
Will Soltero
[email protected]
The measure will provide an estimated $2.5 billion in funding over the next decade
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Earlier today, Chris Melody Fields Figueredo, the executive director of the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center, released the following statement following the successful passage of Measure 26-210 in Portland’s primary elections on Tuesday:
Portland voters delivered a resounding win for a powerful measure to fight homelessness in the Metro region. By approving $2.5 billion over the next decade to help the most vulnerable members of the Portland area, voters proved that even in times of crisis, ballot measures like 26-210 can make lasting change in any community.
Every day, I’m encouraged by the passion and grit I see from the organizations, campaigns, and coalitions fighting for change in their communities through direct democracy. In this uncertain moment, it’s those groups that have the power to empower the people—Portland is just the latest example of that.
With a marginal income tax on top earners in the Portland Metro area, this measure will provide crucial services to those who need it most. The Ballot Initiative Strategy Center applauds the HereTogether Coalition for their relentless work in Oregon, and we look forward to a strong election cycle for ballot measures that center impacted communities and provide a path to address the systemic inequities that have been ignored for too long.
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The Ballot Initiative Strategy Center is the only progressive organization that works across the many policy, organizing, and political organizations, with local, state, and national players to analyze and support the ballot measure landscape.
No other national organization or network is solely focused on the strategy of running the best ballot measure campaigns or aligning ballot measure campaign efforts across sectors and networks to ensure the most effective use of resources and the greatest impact. BISC supports the campaigns, the state tables, in-state grassroots organizations, and funders alike with important strategic guidance, due diligence and analysis, while training advocates and practitioners in real time – from first time organizers to the most seasoned campaign operatives.