Portland Public Schools to submit written testimony supporting LD2124 emergency shelter funding

Portland Public Schools’ public and legislative affairs committee voted Feb. 2 to submit written testimony supporting LD2124, an act to support emergency shelter funding using revenue from the real estate transfer tax.

Speaker 1 introduced LD2124 and asked committee members whether the district should provide testimony. Speaker 4 reported learning about the bill via a city social services call and relayed that Preble Street’s advocacy director described the bill as "incredibly important" for shelters. Other participants noted the bill appears aimed at increasing per-night shelter funding for providers and does not directly replace SHOP or eviction-prevention funding streams.

Speaker 5 (district staff) said the district would not directly receive the new funds but that increasing shelter capacity would benefit families the district serves. After discussion, Speaker 1 moved to submit written testimony in support; Fatuma seconded. The motion passed and staff were charged to prepare the testimony and to consider coordinating a joint submission with the city that highlights funding the district is losing and how LD2124 would fit into the broader ecosystem.

The meeting record does not include full roll-call details but shows the committee approved submitting written testimony. Staff set a near-term follow-up to draft the testimony for the public hearing.