No on #26-259. Portland’s near $2B school bond

By Taxpayers Association of Oregon
OregonWatchdog.com

Here is a copy of the Voter Argument that the Taxpayers Association submitted in opposition to Measure 26-259

Taxpayers association of Oregon urges vote no  on 26-259

Don’t be fooled by the bond boondoggle

Portland taxpayers, don’t be fooled by Portland Public Schools’ (PPS) massive $1.83 billion construction bond.

This measure is a blank check with virtually no accountability.

Incredibly, the school board still has no clear idea what projects will be included, how much they will cost, or when they’ll be completed.

Go to the PPS website, and you’ll see … the bond budget does not show individual school budgets. It simply shows a single number—$1.15 billion—for the three high schools, plus unnamed elementary and middle schools.

Will your kid’s school get repaired? You don’t know, and PPS won’t tell you.

PPS has a terrible track record with your money.

The 2020 bond included $311 million for Jefferson high school, but costs ballooned to $491 million without a single shovel put in the ground.

Think about it … PPS wants you to pay twice for Jefferson. First, with the 2020 bond. Now, with this bond.

An audit of the 2017 bond revealed that PPS presented public cost estimates that were $100 million lower than their own staff said it would cost!

PPS learned their lesson. This time, they’re not showing us the cost estimates!

The truth is simple: PPS wants your money with almost no accountability.

They’re planning to build massive high schools while enrollment is dropping and will continue to drop.

Don’t reward mismanagement and wasteful spending.

Vote no and demand a better plan with real accountability.

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