ALMOST EVERY HAND went up in an audience of close
to 300 people at a forum on the economic crisis in Gresham last
weekend. The hands rose in response to a moderator’s question: “How
many of you have friends or family members who have had their hours cut
or have lost their jobs?”
Portland’s creative class may have been mostly insulated from the
recession so far, but the story in neighboring Gresham is a different
one indeed. On the road from Portland to the forum at Gordon Russell
Middle School last Saturday, April 11, people waved signs on street
corners advertising closing sales, while strip malls with vacant stores
bore optimistic slogans and occasional clusters of limp balloons.
“The crisis we’re facing today is unlike anything we’ve seen in
modern times,” said Democratic State Representative Nick Kahl, who was
elected to the house last November in a Gresham seat formerly held by a
Republican, Karen Minnis. For Kahl, like many Democrats nationwide, the
timing of his recent election could be better: The $15 billion state
budget is facing a likely $3-5 billion deficit this year, which means
education, healthcare, and public safety will all be cut.
Kahl shared the bad news about the budget with the audience along
with State Senator Laurie Monnes Anderson and State Representative Greg
Matthews.
“The hole is too deep too fill strictly with revenue, and strictly
with cuts,” said Matthews, calling for “bold leadership” at the state
level to hammer out a solution to the crisis. Most likely, that will
mean new taxes for Oregon’s richest and a fresh look at the state’s
controversial $10 minimum tax for corporations. The state’s
budget-deficit projection will be finalized on May 15, with lawmakers
aiming to balance a budget by the end of July.
New taxes may be economically necessary, but they are politically
difficult—especially in traditional swing districts like
Gresham—even though the new taxes are unlikely to affect
Gresham’s middle or working classes directly. The Mercury asked
Kahl whether lobbying for new taxes at the same time as cutting
services in Gresham is likely to endear him to his constituents.
“It’s my job to make them supportive,” said Kahl. “I’m going to go
out and talk to them, and get them on our side.”
Meanwhile, the forum sought to place a human face on the looming
crisis.
“Our programs are facing the elimination of 300 beds for youth
offenders and the loss of 500 staff who ensure accountability,” said
Franklin Delano Weaver, who works in gang prevention for the Oregon
Youth Authority.
“No one should have to be alone and suffering for the last days of
their life,” said Patty Brost, speaking about the potential impact of
the cuts on caregivers for the elderly.
“Staff around me are being cut, we are seeing the elimination of
jobs, and today, the reality is that if I need books about Thomas the
Tank Engine to motivate kids, I need to buy them myself,” said Jean
Black-Groulx, who works for the Gresham-Barlow School District. “I
don’t know what next year will bring.”
Wow, Matt Davis, you got off the the freeway and went exactly three blocks out of your way. Describing one single intersection in the Gresham area, thereby giving the impression that that one intersection describes the entire area… that’s good journalism! (that’s heavy sarcasm, in case you were unsure). It might have been nice to mention that the strip mall with vacant stores is a brand-new development. Or that the mall across the street with the occasional limp balloons is also relatively new and that it’s completely full? I may not love living in Gresham, but I don’t enjoy having it derided unnecessarily either. You’re supposed to be a journalist, act like one.
JBruner97, what’s with the bile? Your criticisms relate tangentially, at best, to the article. Where Matt Davis describes how economic hard times have affected Gresham, you see derision of the city. If you are off your meds and need referrals to low cost or free clinics, for chrissakes, let us know.