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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Parents brought their children in tow to a Multnomah County public testimony on Wednesday night discussing the future of the Preschool For All program.
Despite some county and state leaders proposing changes to how it is funded, people from all walks of life urged Multnomah County commissioners not to alter the program.
“We have a lot of folks here tonight, a lot of kids joining us tonight, which is really wonderful, so please consider your language in your comments and your testimony,” said Multnomah County Board Chair Jessica Vega Pederson, taking note of the Multnomah Building’s sudden resemblance to a preschool.
The voter-approved Preschool For All program, which Vega Pederson has advocated for preserving, aims to provide free preschool to every three- and four-year-old living in Multnomah County within five years.
“I hope that the necessity of affordability is heard,” said Ty Marshall, who was among the many parents who pleaded with commissioners to keep the program in place, unchanged. “It’s filling a really important gap that encourages parents to grow in their careers.”
Governor Tina Kotek is among those who have criticized the program, citing concerns surrounding scaling quality education to meet its 2030 goal and the sustainability of relying on high-income earners.
Right now, the program taxes 1.5 % on income over $125,000 for individuals and for households making over $200,000. There’s also a 3% tax on income above $250,000.
“As part of the group of people who meets that income qualification, it is an honor to be able to support all of Portland families and students in that way,” said Kasia Rutledge.
Multnomah County Commissioner Julia Brim-Edwards is proposing indexing the tax. If approved, the $125,000 threshold for taxpayers would increase annually to keep pace with inflation. Brim-Edwards said it would ensure fairness by preventing inflation from pushing taxpayers over the threshold.
Meanwhile, Governor Kotek’s Tax Advisory Group recommended pausing the tax for two to three years to reassess the program’s structure, a notion that many parents supportive of Preschool For All are staunchly against.
“I have not in my entire time in Oregon, in my entire life, seen a problem that taking money away from will fix,” said Portland Association of Teachers President Angela Boniall.
The program also faced criticism after its previous director resigned over alleged conflict-of-interest issues, triggering an ethics investigation.
Commissioners will introduce the indexing proposal on Thursday, with a vote on the matter scheduled the following week.
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Anthony Kustura
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