PDX offers homeless 24/7 high cost toilets

By Jason Williams
In: Measure 37
Thursday July 19, 2007

Here is a story from KGW-8 News on Portland Mayor Potter opening up City Hall toilets 24-hours with two security guards costing nearly $100,000 a year. Jason Williams of the Taxpayer Association was featured in the story saying “Taxpayers should not take this sitting down. This is another example of City Hall flushing their tax dollars away,”

KGW-8 STORY: Mayor Tom Potter said the program will increase downtown livability. “What we’re trying to do is make it better not only for homeless people but for all people in Portland,” said Mayor Potter…The cost of additional hours and security is more than $46,000 for a six-month trial period.

“Taxpayers should not take this sitting down. This is another example of City Hall flushing their tax dollars away,” said Jason Williams, Director of the Taxpayers Association of Oregon. Williams said the program will make Portland a desirable place for homeless people. He thinks it will increase the city’s homeless population.

“What homeless people need is shelter and assistance,” said Williams, “What they don’t need is taxpayer funded luxury toilets in the middle of City Hall.”

Mayor Potter does not think the toilets will attract more homeless to Portland. “Will that encourage them to say, ‘Gosh that’s a nice bathroom. I’m going to stay here a few more months?’ That does not make sense to me,” said Mayor Potter.

Mayor Potter said the city will evaluate the program after six months. He said if the toilets are not being used overnight or if they are blamed for generating problems downtown, the city will no longer offer its round-the-clock restroom service.

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