Latest news with #VegaPederson
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Multnomah County nurse program sounds alarm after being cut from proposed budget
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Several Multnomah County programs are looking at serious cuts in the new proposed budget. But some, like the Nurse Family Partnership program, would be completely eliminated. NFP pairs someone who is pregnant with a nurse who visits them at their home during the pregnancy and then for the first two years of the baby's life. They also connect families to health services or give health assessments. 'Disgusted': DA Vasquez reacts to Multnomah County's latest budget proposal County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson said her budget is built to prioritize direct services, or those most important to the people who need to rely on the county. Hannah Snyder is a nurse who works in the NFP program and she said not only is it a direct service, but it is essential. 'We serve a population that is really at the highest risk of being left behind by our healthcare system,' she said. 'And so we are able to, through kind of building relationships with them, help them kind of meet those goals that they have for themselves.' Snyder said they serve low income people, those facing housing insecurity, refugees, or even people who have had negative healthcare experiences in the past. Wyden asks Trump administration officials to reconsider travel policies ahead of the World Cup 'It helps to work with people who – not only are facing that major transition into parenthood that everybody finds to be difficult – but they have a lot of other barriers facing them.' When talking to media on Thursday, Vega Pederson said she knows a lot of people probably will not be happy with the proposal. 'There were cuts to programs that have an impact,' Vega Pederson said. 'And areas of service that we know are important, whether it is health-related programs or human services related programs. This is the reality when we have a budget deficit.' Snyder said the NFP program actually helps save money. A University of Utah study on NFP in Oregon even shows every dollar invested saves over six dollars in future costs for those vulnerable populations. NFP-Oregon-Research-BriefDownload Although Snyder said emergency care visits, prisons and jails are all expensive things for the community, she notes NFP can reduce those costs down the road. 'People are really able to transform their own lives with just a little bit of extra support and with a nice, trusting relationship that happens over the long term,' she said. 'And so the prevention that can happen before a child is born. And in those first two years of life, it can really shape the whole lifetime of that family.' Snyder added that, until the board votes on the budget, the nurses are bringing a lot of attention to the issue with petitions. Plus, they plan to attend county commission hearings. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘Disgusted': DA Vasquez reacts to Multnomah County's latest budget proposal
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez was less than pleased by the latest county budget proposal, saying that although appearing to support public safety on paper, it is using 'creative accounting to hide the reality.' In a Thursday press conference, Vasquez said he was 'disgusted' and 'blindsided' by the latest proposal, saying it makes cuts to key public safety components, including 10 DA's Office staff members. City councilor threatens Portland State University funds over 'crackdown on pro-Palestinian voices' 'Under this budget, this office will be laying off people,' he said. 'We will be unable to serve victims of domestic violence, we'll be unable to properly serve children in our Juvenile Services Unit.' With this proposal, the DA's Office could also see the loss of the Auto Theft Task Force, a prosecutor in the Domestic Violence Unit, a prosecutor in their Treatment Court Unit and potentially the Organized Retail Theft Unit. The task forces in particular, Vasquez noted, were some of their most successful positions, producing 'a dramatic turnaround' in the community. Given these factors, Vasquez said it was 'shocking' that Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson allocated $23 million into the Homeless Services division, 'doubling down on failed issues,' instead of funding the DA's Office or the Dept. of Community Justice. City of Portland targeted in $6.7 million fraud scheme He further argued that those funds could come from funding from the Supportive Housing Services measure – which he claims holds around $200 million – instead of taking from his office, which holds one of the smallest budgets in the county. 'We have the funds and the resources in this community,' said Vasquez. 'It's about the decisions we make and the priorities. On the one hand, we're hearing that the Chair says it's a priority to serve families and some of our most vulnerable communities. But across the board in this budget, we're seeing cuts in our juvenile services and domestic violence areas and so this budget doesn't match the County's values.' Vasquez added that when he previously met with the Chair prior to the unveiling of the budget, he put together a $4.5 million package, none of which was approved. 'All I'm asking for is balance,' he said. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Multiple organizations – including TriMet, Historic Parkrose, the Oregon Crime Victims Law Center and the Oregon Department of Justice – sent in letters to Vega Pederson supporting the DA's Office and encouraging reform of the budget proposal. In the meantime. Vasquez says he will be 'working diligently' every day with each of the commissioners to get the votes necessary to amend it. If approved, the budget will go into effect at the beginning of the fiscal year on July 1, 2025. In a statement, Vega Pederson's responded to Vasquez's comments on the budget. 'Elected leadership and the hard decisions that come with it are not new to me. We have a serious budget deficit that requires tough choices – the DA's budget is no exception. The DA's budget has seen a 57% increase since 2019. The numbers in my budget speak for themselves – public safety is prioritized with no cuts to the Sheriff's Office, jails, and some of the smallest reductions in the County to the DA and Department of Community Justice. To imply otherwise is disingenuous. No one jumps the line and gets special treatment because they go on TV and talk loudly.' Vasquez's full press conference can be viewed above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Multnomah County unveils $4 billion budget plan for 2026 amid $77 million shortfall
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Multnomah County unveiled the proposed $4 billion budget for 2026 on Thursday, showing investments in community safety and health outcomes, but also staffing cuts and reduced funding for select homelessness services amid a $77 million shortfall. The release of the new budget comes after Vega Pederson shocked state and regional leaders by disclosing the county's need for funding to help maintain services, including shelter beds, rent assistance and more, back in February. The sudden ask included an additional $55 million from the state and $30 million in unspent administrative funds from Metro. City of Portland targeted in $6.7 million fraud scheme Currently, there's no definitive confirmation of direct state funding for Multnomah County for the 2026 fiscal year. The Chair's budget reduced the overall funding for the Homeless Services Department by 22% ($29.4 million), including deducting $1.2 million from employment programs, administrative positions, as well as adult parole and probation services. According to the County, a combination of factors — including recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, a rise in downtown office vacancies, a rise in inflation and the higher cost of living– led to a decrease of $77.3 million in the County's total operating budget. Portlanders press leaders on crime, safety amid budget cuts Still, the current budget protects community safety with investments of $142.5 million, allowing the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office to maintain current staffing levels and address staffing shortages. The funds will further support initiatives such as youth violence prevention programs, services for crime victims and survivors, as well as provide $2.3 million towards prosecutor positions in the District Attorney's Office. A separate portion of the budget will go towards ensuring a total of 3,622 shelter beds, community health centers, a downtown behavioral health resource center, planning work for a 24/7 drop-off sobering and crisis center and more. The county is also providing $10 million to continue shelter programs, including Safe Rest Villages and Temporary Alternative Shelter Sites (TASS). It will further fund initiatives geared towards community well-being, such as Preschool for All, DEI positions, gender-affirming shelter and day spaces, as well as animal service staffing and a redesign of the Multnomah County animal shelter. The budget further allocates $32.7 million for programs serving children and families at risk of homelessness and additional emergency rent assistance. 'Under my leadership, our community can trust that the County will focus on helping people who face the most challenges, as well as preserving the most direct and impactful ways we can serve them,' Vega Pederson said. 'My budget ensures no shelter bed is lost and no health clinic closed. Still, it is not possible to make cuts to this degree and not have it affect the services we provide.' While Vega Pederson is asking for the District Attorney's Office to make a $1 million cut to his office, DA Nathan Vasquez has countered, saying he wants to add 26 positions in his office. Vasquez will respond to the budget proposal at a press conference at 1 p.m. If approved, the budget will go into effect at the beginning of the fiscal year on July 1, 2025. Stay with KOIN 6 News as we continue to follow this story. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Multnomah County Board members unveil plan to put county in ‘driver's seat' of economy
PORTLAND, Ore. () – Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson and Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards are introducing a proposal to 'kick-start' the county's economy. The Multnomah County Board members unveiled their plan on Friday, which requests $100,000 to create an Economic Development Landscape Analysis and Report to help the county develop an economic strategy. The proposal for an economic report comes as the board members say Multnomah County has played a 'limited' role in boosting the economy for decades. City of Portland managers to make full-time return to workplace 'The health of our economy deeply impacts our families and everyone's ability to live, rise, and thrive. This report will give us the knowledge to do sound policy and planning,' said Vega Pederson. 'It will support our ability to help grow our economy, empower local businesses, and drive our community's economic future.' According to Vega Pederson and Brim-Edwards, it is 'imperative' for the county to have an active role in promoting economic growth as cities and other community partners in Portland's Downtown Core and Central City have created their own initiatives to spur economic activity. In a draft budget request for the proposal, Vega Pederson's office notes that the proposal should leverage efforts underway and work with organizations, including, the Port of Portland — which 'significantly contributes' to local economic development with freight and passenger service and offers a mentorship program — along with Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon, Travel Portland, along with local colleges and universities. Troutdale's Sugarpine Drive-In brings new dish to Portland sandwich shop The report will help the county develop county-specific strategies to support existing businesses, industries and employers, while recruiting new businesses, the board members said, noting the county's ability to provide services from addressing the homelessness crisis to preschool access, is 'inextricably linked' to the vitality of the area's economy. 'Let's not kid ourselves: We need to change the trajectory of our economy and reverse recent trends,' Commissioner Brim-Edwards said. 'The County needs to be in the driver's seat of our own economic future, and we can start by creating a countywide economic development and empowerment strategy to improve family incomes and the economic future for Multnomah County residents.' The proposal will be introduced to the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners on April 17. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Vega Pederson and Brim-Edwards' plan comes after a Portland Metro Chamber report released in February painted a grim picture of the city's economy — showing Portland has had a slower post-pandemic recovery than most major cities. The Portland Metro Chamber report referred to Portland's economy as an 'urban doom loop,' a vicious cycle in which businesses close, people leave and tax revenues decline. 'It is on all of us to make sure that we continue to address the key issues like live-ability, homelessness, substance abuse,' Portland Metro Chamber President and CEO previously said. 'But now we have to get real about the economy and start competing for business and investment, or we have some serious consequences that we will have to grapple with in the future.' The report ends with a call to action for city leaders, to fix our economy or face the consequences. 'Our region's leaders must turn their attention to make our economy competitive or face the daunting realities that other regions have faced before – an urban doom loop.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
MultCo reports 13% increase in housing among homeless in late 2024 as budget shortfall looms
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Nearly 2,500 people in Multnomah County who were homeless halfway through 2024 had successfully found permanent housing by the end of the year, county leaders announced Tuesday. Recently released data from the second half of 2024 reveal that the county's Homeless Services Department recorded 2,469 people were in housing and were no longer experiencing homelessness at the start of 2025. 'Very fortunate': Two survive downed tree crashing onto car in Oregon City 'We are providing the right services at the right time for many people who have desperately needed help for so long,' Chair Jessica Vega Pederson said. 'We are not close to done — but this last quarter of investment and momentum should give us all hope for the future.' Data show that 6,288 people found shelter between July and December 2024 through the county's contracted providers and 7,142 people were able to avoid eviction with emergency rent assistance. The Homeless Services Department, previously known as the Joint Office of Homeless Services, said these numbers mean that 13% more people have permanent housing, 17% more people have access to shelter, and 22% more people dodged eviction than in the second half of 2023. Chair Vega Pederson said this is a sign that the county's programs are moving more people off the streets with shelter and housing. 'Multnomah County has done what we said we would by getting money out the door quickly in ways that are improving conditions in every neighborhood we serve — to the benefit of our entire state and region,' Vega Pederson said. 'We're sheltering and housing more people than ever before — and preventing more people from becoming homeless.' Powerful storm produces 180 lightning strikes in Western Oregon However, the county claims this progress could be squashed due to an of 25% overall — with $104 million on the chopping block for housing and shelter assistance. During a recent press conference, Vega Pederson called this funding shortage 'catastrophic,' adding that it will lead to cuts in shelter beds, rent assistance, outreach programs currently funded by the Supportive Housing Service measure and the Multnomah County general fund. Department Director Dan Field said last year's improvements are a sign that these funds should be prioritized by state leaders. 'We're making difficult decisions right now about how to manage shrinking resources while continuing to serve our community,' Field said. 'The pace of progress we're seeing won't continue unless we find additional resources to sustain the work.' $2M worth of Nikes stolen from freight trains in desert Last week, Vega Pederson sent letters to the State of Oregon and Metro to provide more resources to help maintain these services. She requested an additional $55 million from the state and $30 in unspent administrative funds from Metro. KOIN 6 News immediately reached out to Gov. Tina Kotek, who said she had 'outstanding questions and potential concerns about how the county decided to make cuts to homeless services in their general fund.' Stay with KOIN 6 News as we continue to follow this story. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
