Portland committee presses state for more general assistance funding, backs local control of weapons in municipal buildings

The City of Portland Legislative and Nominating Committee met May 6 and focused its attention on statewide budget and policy items that members said could affect shelter capacity and housing availability in Portland. Committee members pressed for more state funding for general assistance, discussed a bill to reverse a DHHS reimbursement rule for emergency shelters, and reviewed several housing bond proposals. The committee also voted to support LD 1743, a bill that would allow municipalities to restrict firearms and other dangerous weapons in municipal buildings and voting places.

The committee’s priority is state-level funding affecting shelters and general assistance (GA), committee members said. "Things are moving at a hot clip at the State House right now," said Kate Knox, who gave the committee’s update on bills and budget work. Knox said recent committee action included HHS votes that would raise general assistance reimbursement to 75% in the next biennium and 80% in the following biennium, and would add a limitation of 12 months of assistance in a three‑year period.

Why it matters: Portland city leaders said the GA changes, emergency shelter reimbursements and the overall state budget will determine how much the city can respond to homelessness and shelter demand. Committee members also discussed multiple housing bond proposals that could increase long‑term housing supply — a point they…