This is a horrible idea because it subsidizes all the people who drive into our city from outside even though they are using the roads. We'd be far better off increasing parking fees and adding meters to more areas.

Speaking of paying for transportation, did PBOT ever give an answer to the question of whether Alta Planning submitted and got paid for a report that didn't meet the terms of the contract on the bike share thing?

"What that tells us is there hasn’t been as much discussion in this community about having enough money for transportation as there has about not having enough money for schools," Novick said.

No. What it tells us is there is no spending discipline by City Council and they piss away money on non-essential feel-good projects. However, we do not live in Portlandia. We live in a real city that needs basic services.

If this goes through, it will just be a matter of time until they come back for more. Until then, more millions for the streetcar, more millions for the arts commission. Oh, but now we can't build sidewalks on Powell Blvd. Time to cough up some more dough, Portland.

The water district is a bad idea, but I hope it passes. Our city council needs some sort of wake-up call.

And they may not even bother with a vote (surprise). Per Willamette Week:

Both Novick and Mayor Charlie Hales have said they haven't decided whether to place a fee on the ballot, or simply pass it without a public vote.

http://www.wweek.com/portland/blog-31478-s…

"Novick said the split may be a sign Portlanders don't hear enough about transit funding"

Yes, it couldn't possibly be that Portlanders feel tapped out and that the city keeps coming back for more and more money. We just haven't "heard" about it enough.

Frankly, I would rather they went with the gas tax than a monthly fee. If this is tacked onto water bills it would come as a $36 lump sum every quarter. And if they start passing local income taxes, I'm gonzo.

Ah yes, blabby- the dreaded I-Tax. 10 years ago I relocated to Washington County because of that shit. I didn't move back until 4 years later when it expired. I hope to god they don't do that again.

Why don't they just roll it all into one and pass a $150 a month membership card fee to join club Portland? If you live in the suburbs and can prove that with a valid state ID you will be allowed to purchase a day pass for $12. Out of state tourists can buy long term visitation passes at kiosks in PDX or downtown in Pioneer Square. Can't pay? Stay in Gresham or Hillsboro. After 9 pm all citizens will be fair game to have spot checks for documentation from motorcycle, horse, and bike cops with each infraction resulting in a $35 ticket. After three tickets a tow truck gets to take your car downtown for $300 or your bike will be confiscated and sold at an auction if you haven't licensed and registered it. If you don't have a vehicle your shoes will just be thrown in the river and you will be detained and then bused in a paddy wagon to the Multnomah County line when enough violators are present to fill all the shackles attached to the seats.

As soon as they start getting the money they can pay some more marketing firms and consultants to study the feasibility of building bridges that will never get built because they aren't tall enough, houses with obscure technology that later get sold for a third of what they cost to build, random statues to park under bridges and on street corners, film insipid commercials to air in Missouri to attract fresh marks, and give free land to developers and corporations as long as they swear to hang around until their tax breaks run out at which time they will sell their subsidized infrastructure for a profit back to the city before they bounce.

Those are excellent ideas JRR. Personally, I am expecting the day when the City just installs a turnstile on my front door, and I pay $3.00 for the privilege of stepping out into my community.

Sorry, I mean the City's community, I'm just here as long as I can pay the user fee.