If this actually goes through, I really want to see them address those clipboard toting do gooders who are on every busy street corner pretending to want to discuss an important topic with you and then shaking you down for money. These people are worse than panhandlers.

Denis, does it have a senate bill number yet? I couldn't find that info online. I am going to write every senator to tell them they should vote no. Because the PBA can suck it.

The older homeless and street roots vendors are one thing, but I have never understood the Mercury's romantic attachment to the street kids who all manage to dress alike, and tote around pit bulls, and call everybody "faggot" as they pass by. And if you call the police to report them blocking the entire sidewalk doing this, all you get is, "are they lying down?"

Dennis:

Admittedly you're an advocate for the homeless and the mentally ill, and I applaud you for your passion and dedication, but I believe your focus is clouding your judgement.

I wish you to take off your advocate hat for a few minutes and look at it from another perspective.

I balk at the notion that these laws are harmful to the homeless as there are other places to sit in cities. We have benches, parks, and plazas for people to rest—designated and designed spots for this. Sidewalks and streets have never been explicitly for laying about (sidewalk restaurants must have permits and insurance to cover any claims of pedestrian-sitter conflicts).

In all fairness, permits need to be applied for sitting buskers and major events that induce sitting or clog the sidewalks. This is only fair.

People crowding around the sidewalks with signs and their personal belongings is a livability issue and liability issue for tripping (see note about streetside cafes and proof of insurance). I am worried about the health of downtown, as are other people, when there are so many cool places for people to go in Portland with less of this problem—and whether anyone wants to admit it, people "laying about" cause the fair majority of the problems and complaints spurred by residents, tourists, and businesses.

Groups against sit/lie are not looking at the negative economic and revenue problems associated with allowing free-range use of sidewalks, which the Sidewalk Management Plan has never been stringently enforced and is entirely perfunctory at addressing this visible problem everyone sees except for people mostly involved in homeless issues.

There's other concerns than the homeless in this city. Tough words, but it needs to be said.

"I am worried about the health of downtown." the "health of downtown," It aint what it used to be and it never was.