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Portland Child Abuse Prevention Tax Levy, Measure 26-150 (May 2013)
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A Portland Child Abuse Prevention Tax Levy proposal was approved on the May 21, 2013, election ballot in Clackamas, Washington, and Multnomah counties in Oregon.
This measure authorized the city of Portland to renew a property tax levy of 0.4026 mill ($0.4026 per $1,000 of assessed valuation) for five years to continue to fund programs to prevent child abuse, hunger, and neglect. City officials estimated annual revenue from this tax at $10.56 million.[1]
Election results
| Measure 26-150 | ||||
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| County: |  Yes
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No | ||
| Votes | % | Votes | % | |
| Clackamas | 124 | 53.7% | 107 | 46.3% |
| Multnomah County | 100,099 | 73.53% | 36,027 | 26.47% |
| Washington County | 217 | 71.38% | 87 | 28.62% |
| Totals: | 100,440 | 73.5% | 36,221 | 26.5% |
- These election results are from the Clackamas County elections office, Multnomah County elections office and the Washington County elections office.
Text of measure
Question on the ballot:
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Shall Portland continue abuse, neglect prevention, children’s programs; five-year levy $.4026 per $1,000 assessed value beginning in 2014; require audits?[1][2] |
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Summary:
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This measure renews current local option taxes. Renews the Portland Children’s Levy; supports programs designed to prevent childhood hunger, prevent child abuse and neglect, help children arrive at school ready to learn, provide safe constructive after school alternatives for kids, and help foster children succeed. Funds can only be used for: • Preventing childhood hunger: giving hungry children
healthy, nutritious meals and food. Accountability measures include:
• Investments subject to annual audits. It is estimated the levy will raise an average of $10.56 million per year for five years.[1][2] |
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Support
Below are statements in support of this proposition:
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We’ve seen too many headlines. Children – innocent and helpless – dying as a result of child abuse. The stories of those who survive abuse are no less heartbreaking, as they face long-term impacts and daunting odds in overcoming their trauma. As Medical Director for CARES Northwest, I’m all too aware of the problem. That’s why I support renewing the Portland Children’s Levy. For ten years, we have helped stop the cycle of abuse in Portland by providing prevention and intervention assistance to moms and dads who want to become better parents but lack the proper skills. And when abuse does occur, we’ve given children in our community the resources they need to recover, heal, and grow into successful adults. We need to keep it up. The Portland Children’s Levy invests in cost-effective and proven child abuse prevention and intervention programs that have made a huge difference in the lives of vulnerable children and families. Services include intensive case management, counseling and therapy, respite care so parents can take a much-needed “time out” to look for a job or go back to school, and parent education. These programs promote resiliency and increase stability. Children in families struggling with violence, abuse and neglect learn to build healthy, strong connections with social support systems that lead to positive, meaningful and lasting changes. Breaking the Cycle of Abuse Many parents who abuse their children were themselves victims of abuse, having never received the intervention they needed to develop healthy parenting skills. Prevention is a much cheaper alternative to society than paying for these and other horrific consequences of abuse. That is why I urge you to vote YES on Measure 26-150 and renew the Portland Children’s Levy. All children should have the chance to grow up free from fear in a healthy, safe and nurturing environment. |
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It can be easy to miss the signs of a hungry child. But they are there, asking for an extra snack to bring home to a hungry brother or sister, or trying to find some extra food to bring home for the weekend. It’s hard to be a kid when you’re hungry. The negative effects of hunger are felt in Oregon more than in any other state, and Portland is no exception. At Meals on Wheels People, we see the effects of hunger in every part of the community. At Oregon Food Bank, we see around 14,000 Portland children eat from emergency food boxes each month. While many kids have access to breakfast and lunch in school, many go home at night not knowing whether they will get a hot, nutritious meal. For those children growing up in a food-insecure household, the impact of hunger can be lasting. Good nutrition forms the basis of a person’s physical and emotional well-being and is especially important to young children as they develop. Studies show hungry children have: • Lower school achievement. The effects can even impact their ability to provide for their own families as adults. By renewing the Portland Children’s Levy, we will add child hunger to its areas of focus. By working with current levy programs and partnering with organizations that are already fighting hunger, the Portland Children’s Levy will be able to reach thousands of kids, with the effectiveness and efficiency that have been hallmarks of the Levy’s 10 years in existence. Your YES vote on Measure 26-150 will show that Portland continues to care about its kids, and help them grow up to be healthy, safe, successful – and fed. Susannah Morgan, CEO,
Oregon Food Bank |
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Opposition
No statement was submitted in opposition to this proposition. If you have an argument that you would like posted here please email editor@ballotpedia.org.
See also
- May 21, 2013 ballot measures in Oregon
- Clackamas County, Oregon ballot measures
- Multnomah County, Oregon ballot measures
- Washington County, Oregon ballot measures
External links
Footnotes
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