Short of handing out $300 checks to every taxpayer, what would these candidates do from their perch on the city council dais about the economy?

From the collapse of Bear Stearns nationally, to news that home values locally are now dipping, it’s no secret that the economy’s in bad shape. What would—or could—you do as a city commissioner to protect homeowners from foreclosures, keep citizens employed, and generally strengthen Portland’s economy, both in the short and long term?

Chris Smith
Position sought: Commissioner #1
Website: citizensmith.us
Financial status: $150,000 in public funding, $120,619.78 currently in the bank

Happily, if the rest of the country has “housing flu”, I think we’re going to get away with a case of the sniffles. I believe that’s because Portland continues to be a very attractive place to live, and because some other costs - like transportation – are less expensive here (see http://portlandtransport.com/archives/2007/08/updated_green_d.html).

I don’t favor the City getting involved in regulating mortgage lending practices, that’s much more appropriate for the State and Federal governments.

One of the major reasons I’m running is to make sure that Portland has a sound long-term economic development strategy that is embraced by both public sector and private sector partners. That strategy is to put the emphasis on clean industries (software development is a great example) and further developing our expertise in sustainability and packaging and selling that expertise to other regions. Any successful economic development strategy MUST be developed as a region, not just as a city. And our economic strategies must be integrated with our land use and transportation plans – something I uniquely have the expertise to do.

Amanda Fritz
Position sought: Commissioner #1
Website: amandafritzforcitycouncil.com
Financial status: $150,000 in public funding, $115,423.95 currently in the bank

With the downturn in the national economy, now more than ever we need Portland's City Council to spend taxpayers' money wisely. I will prioritize the provision of basic services in all 95 neighborhoods, and use the clout of the City of Portland's $3 billion budget to support our local economy. For details on how I will do that, please see Top Ten Ways to support Portland's local economy on my campaign web site.

In summary, if elected I will:

1. Ensure that Portland's economic development projects are directly and measurably tied to creating family wage jobs for Portland residents, retaining and growing the employment base, and taking advantage of Portland's unique benefits.

2. Continue to support general fund allocations to economic development projects and community development small grants, and increase direct participation by all City Council members in attracting and retaining businesses, in a coordinated and informed way.

3. Grow and invest in our housing stock to serve middle-income, working families. My experience of seven years' service on the Portland Planning Commission makes me uniquely qualified to watch out for housing affordability impacts in the zoning changes and implementation actions of the Portland Plan - a complete revision of the Comprehensive Plan which is due to be adopted during the next four years.

4. Invest in and build our preK-12 educational system, our workforce training programs, and our higher education system. I have been active in Portland Public Schools for 17 years, I have worked swing shift at OHSU for 22 years, and next year all three of my children will be in college. I see problems at the grassroots level that I will help fix as an elected official.

5. Increase investment in infrastructure that is needed to keep up with the global economy and encourage job growth here. Businesses need paved streets, good transit, safe pedestrian and bicycle access, and parking. Projects that strengthen our transportation system, improve our neighborhoods, provide basic services and enhance our livability also have the benefit of creating local jobs, as well as attracting more businesses to our city.

6. Continue ongoing efforts to streamline, simplify and reduce regulatory obstacles that get in the way of businesses choosing Portland, expanding here, or staying in business here.

7. Target efforts aimed at keeping at-risk homeowners and renters in their homes, such as education programs and emergency assistance funds, and emphasize services to seniors, people with disabilities, and those with low incomes. I will coordinate more efficiently with Multnomah County and community non-profit organizations providing these services.

8. Require that local businesses be given priority in City contracts and expenditures. Corporations from out of the area winning City contracts should be required to buy their products, services, and labor locally wherever possible.

9. Reform the City contract bidding process to assess the true cost of bids, including additional factors such as whether corporations provide health care coverage to their employees, past safety and performance records, environmental impacts, etc.

10. Amend City code so that contracts are no longer allowed to run 25% over budget before being re-authorized by the Council. I will ask for more performance audits of City contracts, and make sure that recommendations in previous ones are addressed and implemented.

John Branam
Position sought: Commissioner #1
Website: john4pdx.org
Financial status: $150,000 in public funding, $76,970.38 currently in the bank

Clearly the economy is slowing. While we’re fortunate that here in Oregon and in Portland there were far fewer sub-prime loans than elsewhere, and that our home values have not plummeted, that’s little consolation to our neighbors who are struggling to hold on to their homes. While the majority of the efforts to combat foreclosures must be done at the federal and state levels, there are a number of things we can do in the coming months and years to strengthen our local economy.

A strong local economy is vital to a healthy, livable Portland. Of course we all need good jobs with good benefits, but a stable, well-balanced and progressive local economy is also essential because it helps ensure, among other things, that our schools and social services are well-funded, and that we have the financial stability to plan for our city’s future.

Although Portland has taken important steps towards being more supportive of our businesses, we still have work to do. Most importantly, we must continue to invest in support small and medium-sized businesses. Not only do most of Portland’s businesses fall within these categories (and therefore a significant percentage of Portland’s workers,) but these businesses are responsible for the majority of our city’s economic growth.

As a Commissioner, I would advocate for, among other things, the strategic use of Urban Renewal dollars to support the sustainable growth of small and medium-sized businesses. I would also support providing training and assistance dollars for existing businesses that fall within zones targeted for improvements, and that would benefit from additional support to ensure they remain competitive in these redeveloping areas. Further, Portland should both support, and increase our investment in, the Association of Portland’s Neighborhood Business Associations as it works to support each of our 35 business districts. Ensuring small and medium-sized businesses have the resources and support to thrive is crucial to Portland’s ability to remain livable, and for us to combat the economic slowdown.

Portland must also prioritize additional investments in workforce development. As the economy slows and workers struggle, our city’s investments must be strategic in helping to ensure workers are well trained to take advantage of opportunities as they arise. Worksystems, Inc., a nonprofit connecting job seekers with employers by funding career placement and training services, (it includes the City and Multnomah and Washington Counties) sets policy and provides strategic direction for the region’s workforce development. The Bureau of Housing and Community Development, via its Economic Opportunities program, also works to support those among us who most struggle during economic downturns. By working collaboratively with other key non-profits, our schools and community colleges, these organizations and programs are becoming increasingly important as we work to combat the slowdown. Ensuring these organizations and programs have the resources they need to do their work is, therefore, essential.

Below are a few additional thoughts regarding our long-term efforts to further improve and develop Portland’s economy:

• Our economic development investments must reflect our city’s goals of substantially reducing our carbon footprint. Growing sustainably means balancing growth with a keen awareness of our planet’s health.
• We must capitalize on our role as a global sustainability leader and invest strategically and significantly in developing a green jobs corps.
• We must be intentional about supporting and growing women and minority-owned businesses. The benefits of doing so will be shared by all Portlanders!
• We must solve the Columbia River Crossing challenge and make significant investments in our transportation infrastructure in ways that, again, honor our environmental goals while keeping Portland moving.
• Finally, we must do a better job of marketing Portland as a business-friendly city. Certainly we must do the things that earn such a reputation, but we must also become better at sharing this message with others.

Charles Lewis
Position sought: Commissioner #1
Website: charleslewis.com
Financial status: $150,000 in public funding, $118,636.55 currently in the bank

As the Executive Director of a successful non-profit and a small business owner, I am personally responsible for the financial well being of many other hardworking families and individuals. Last year, Ethos Music Center had 78 people on our payroll. Ethos pays $21 to $35 per hour for music instructors and provides free health and dental care for all full time employees (part time employees received benefits at a discounted rate). City Council needs someone with a track record of both fiscal and social responsibility to lead Portland through our impending troubled economic times.

With regards to keeping Portlanders employed and strengthening our local economy, it is imperative that we support local, small businesses. Programs such as the revolving loan fund can leverage a tremendous amount of capital at very low risk for the city. Small business owners guarantee the loans personally, resulting in a very low default rate. Empowering small business owners with low interest (or even market rate interest) loans will create a stable economic base in Portland that will weather any economic downfall.

Housing has been central to my platform from the start of this campaign. It is crucial that homeowners can afford to stay in Portland. I applaud the State Legislature for taking steps to crack down on predatory lending. Now it is the City’s responsibility to use the resources at its disposal to help working and middle class families and individuals. We need to reevaluate our use of Urban Renewal Areas to ensure that both the City and County can draw on a healthy property tax base to fund vital services.

It is also crucial that someone on City Council be able to stand up to developers and demand public funds be invested in creating affordable housing rather than being used to subsidize million dollar condos. I would like to reinvigorate a “Homestead” funding program for lower income, first time homeowners and families. Specifically, this program would offer $10,000 grants to lower income, first time home buyers if they live in the house for 5 years. While it would be a significant investment by the city, the choice between bankrolling million dollar condos and helping working families own a home should be a no brainier.

To learn more about my proposals regarding jobs, small businesses and housing please visit CharlesLewis.com.

Jeff Bissonnette
Position sought: Commissioner #1
Website: portlandersforjeff.com
Financial status: $150,000 in public funding, $121,268.65 currently in the bank

Planning for the future is a key role for a city commissioner. A top reason I am running for city council is that we cannot today point to the two, three or four industries that we can say are going to drive our economy for the next 10, 15 or 20 years. I want to work with my council colleagues to develop those industries. I will utilize my background working with clean energy industries - such as the energy efficiency industry, the solar industry, and the wind industry - to make the clean energy sector one of those industry development targets. Other industrial development efforts need to similarly fit with Portland's existing assets and values.

To work toward that goal, the city council needs to improve the dialogue with the business community. Today, there is a high level of distrust between the city and the business community. I will work to remove the adversarial relationship with the business community and open an ongoing conversation so that we can address issues as they come along. This is not to say that the city and the business community will not have disagreements. But a better working relationship can help to address problems constructively and provide opportunities to work together.

In more specific terms, the city council needs to ensure a strong small business community and support locally-owned businesses. Portlanders need the resources to start, grow and sustain locally-owned businesses. I will work to expand the capacity of an existing infrastructure of microlenders, such as Mercy Corps NW, the Cascadia Revolving Fund and the Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs, to make start-up loans of $35,000 -75,000 to help new business owners get their enterprises started. I will also increase the capacity of business mentoring to help new businesses owners make it through the crucial first two years of operation. I will also improve the capacity to help business owners determine how develop their businesses, whether that is expanding their operation, serving new markets, or developing new services or product lines.

The city council also needs to be focused on helping Portlanders meet immediate needs as well. Although we've been able to stay below the national average in home foreclosures, it is still a serious issue affecting Portlanders. To help those people facing foreclosure stay in their homes, the city needs to work with existing public agencies, private lenders and nonprofit organizations to get them help quickly. The national NeighborWorks American program has developed a program that has been proven successful in helping homeowners avoid foreclosure. I would work to expand this program locally through the local NeighborWorks affiliate, the Portland Housing Center.

First, public education needs to be undertaken so that homeowners who are in trouble know that they can get help and that they do have options. This is often the most difficult aspect because people are embarrassed about their situation and don't want to admit they need help.

Once there is contact with a homeowner, they must be triaged to determine whether the family needs help to fill short-term or long-term income gaps, aid to repair property damage, and/or assistance in budgeting and money management. Based on these needs NeighborWorks' formula is to coordinate range of services: face-to-face financial counseling referrals, help in working with lenders to negotiate new payment schedules that avert foreclosure, bridge loans to help consumers falling behind in payments catch up, small rehab loans for repairs and maintenance, and other resources to ensure that whatever intervention strategies used are effective. We need to build on the successful work already being done here and in other cities to ensure Portlanders get the help they need to stay in their homes.

Portlanders understand the need to develop a strong, locally-based economy by keeping dollars in our community, building the resources to address problems and create even more opportunity. We have a lot of assets to work with to create a future that offers opportunity to every Portlander and to help those who are facing troubled times. We can make Portland the city that works better for all of us.

Mike Fahey
Position sought: Commissioner #1
Website: friendsofmikefahey.com
Financial status: $14,630.00 in contributions to date, $10,523.99 currently in the bank

Did not respond by deadline.