Several of the proposed budget amendments have merit, and I commend council members Lumm, Hayner and Eaton for their hard work, commitment to fiscal responsibility, and responsiveness to constituent needs. However, Amendment 3 (to add two police officers for proactive patrolling) is ill-advised because it removes funding from previously agreed-upon levels for climate action and affordable housing. Similarly, Amendment 7, which would reduce the city's pension liability (an important goal), does so at the expense of climate action, affordable housing and pedestrian safety. Climate change and affordable housing are ongoing crises--true emergencies with both immediate and long term global and local human consequences--which require dedicated, stable local funding over the coming decade and beyond, especially given the complete lack of meaningful positive action at the federal and state level. Budget amendments 3 and 7 undermine this essential commitment.

I support this budget as written, and encourage Mayor Taylor to veto if there are amendments that he thinks would be detrimental to the City.