The District Five Insider is a newsletter about the big decisions making their way through the City Council, what they mean for District Five, and how you can get involved. Enter your email and click subscribe to receive this newsletter in your mailbox.
Tuesday June 24, 2025
The Power of Us: Investing in Portland’s Shared Future
Last night, the Council unanimously passed a budget for Fiscal Year 2026 that reflects our values and our commitment to one another—even in the face of growing disinvestment from the state and federal government.
This has been a difficult budget season. The Trump and Mills administrations have advanced austerity budgets that cut deeply into public services: health care, housing support, labor protections, and General Assistance among them. These are not savings. They are costs shifted downward and cities like ours are left to pick up the slack. The conservative agenda calls this “efficiency”; in practice, it redistributes wealth upward and pushes hardship down onto those with the least.
Despite these pressures, we held the line. We passed a zero-balance budget. We pulled from fund balance to meet our obligations. We made tough choices. But we did not give up on our values. And when the City retires its pension obligation bond debt in the years ahead, we’ll begin to recover more flexibility in future budgets.
But here’s what gives me hope: Portland is on the verge of transformation. Thanks to ReCode and a renewed demand for urban living, we are poised for a new wave of development. And this time, we’re prepared.
We’ve put strong protections in place—not just to prevent displacement, but to push back against the kind of cheap, extractive development that saddles working people with long-term heating and cooling costs and accelerates the climate crisis. Policies like rent control, inclusionary zoning, the Green building codes, Vision Zero, and transportation overlay districts are reshaping the rules. We’re not just building more—we’re building better: housing that’s efficient, affordable, connected, and climate-resilient.
We’re planning for growth, and we’re planning for the prosperity to be shared.
Social Housing Task Force Seated
Last night the Mayor announced the members of the newly seated Social Housing Task Force, a critical step forward for housing justice in Portland. This task force is grounded in values: care, community, and collective responsibility. I want to thank the Housing and Economic Development Committee for advancing this initiative with urgency; the Mayor and the selection team for assembling a thoughtful and diverse task force; and the many residents who stepped forward to serve. Your leadership is the heart of this work.
Quick Hits: Child Care, Housing, and Equity
Child Care Vouchers Extended
Councilor Bullett’s budget amendment last night adds $100,000 to extend the Portland Child Care Voucher Collaborative through FY27. This ensures support for families who fall through the cracks of state subsidies.
Before & After Care Expanded
Councilor Grant’s amendment funds four new Rec Programmer positions, opening up 64 new child care slots during critical out-of-school hours.
These two amendments hint at something bigger: that we’re laying the groundwork for a universal early childhood education system. It’s ambitious, but possible. Quebec did it—and did it well. A recent Guardian article highlights how their universal child care system now serves as a model for equity, labor force participation, and long-term economic returns. Ironically, their system was inspired by U.S. research. It’s time we learned from their success.
Doubling Down on Rental Inspections
The Council voted in favor of Councilor Grant’s amendment to add funding for a second rental housing inspector. This will allow better enforcement of housing safety and code compliance citywide. At our recent workshop on rent control enforcement, we heard clearly from tenants: enforcement is critical to the success of our policies.
Council Wages Adjusted for Equity
Modest increases to Council and School Board pay will improve fairness and remove financial barriers to public service. Local government should be accessible to everyone.
Community Engagement Coordinator Funded
Councilor Phillips’ amendment creates a new position to support deeper, more meaningful public engagement. This role will help connect residents to City decisions and ensure community voice is embedded in our work.
What’s Next?
This moment marks the halfway point of my Council term. I feel really good about what we’ve built together so far—and hopeful about where we’re going. Portland is evolving. We’re growing and changing, and that means we’re healthy.
I hear from a lot of people who think the only answer to our budget constraints is to cut, cut, cut. If you’re one of them, I want to say respectfully: I don’t agree. The idea that public services are wasteful and inefficient is everywhere—but it’s a misleading story, designed to erode trust in government until that story becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. The truth is, public services are the foundation that make opportunity, safety, and dignity possible for all of us.
Taxes are how we participate in this shared project. They’re our membership fee in something bigger than ourselves—and what we pay into that system comes back to us in the form of strong schools, safe streets, clean water, public parks, and community care.
At the same time, if you’re on a fixed income and worried about whether you can afford to stay in Portland, I hear that, too. Taxes must be fair. That’s why I’m working to advance progressive revenue tools like the expansion of the P-STEP program and a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) program.
Portland works best when it works for all of us. If you believe that too, let’s keep building it together.
ksykes@portlandmaine.gov 207-558-5764
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Kate Sykes for District Five 