Portland Business Alliance has the pulpit to call for a transfer fee

Over the past few weeks the Portland Business Alliance has seen print in most newspapers throughout the city for their role in helping downtown get public restrooms and a day access center.

The Alliance has pitched in $45,000 for the day access center and is offering to maintain public restrooms for free. We applaud their efforts. But to listen to the Portland Business Alliance, you would think they are leading the way to end homelessness in downtown themselves. Unfortunately, the organization continues to insist a law is needed that will ban people (homeless) from downtown sidewalks.

We want to get behind the PBA — and in fact Street Roots may end up partnering with them through the Rose City Resource Guide — but we still have more questions than answers. Finish reading...

Street Roots editorial