Well, well

Or perhaps we should title this, "Not so well, not so well," after reading a report released today yesterday by Riley Research Associates in Portland. Turns out that the future of one city hall occupant may be in jeopardy, and that the aerial tram project [rimshot] is generating a significant amount of opposition. [But school funding and "voter-owned" elections, on the other hand, seem to be earning a degree of the public's support.]

From the report:

Public Campaign Financing: If this measure makes the May ballot, it appears residents would be inclined to continue the public funding program, with 44% supporting the program, 27% saying they would vote to end it, and 27% undecided. It appears to be more popular among younger residents compared to older residents, and much more popular among Democrats than Republicans.

City Council Races: Eric [sic] Sten’s re-election campaign appears to be at a tipping point. While his most high-profile opponent - Ginny Burdick - has yet to make a significant impact, the question’s unaided response, “Not incumbent / Not Sten” was the single biggest vote getter (37%), followed by “undecided” (32%), and then Sten (28%). These findings seem to indicate an opportunity for a challenger. For Commissioner Saltzman’s seat, large numbers of residents are currently undecided (62%). While Saltzman, the incumbent, enjoys a significant lead over challengers Lucinda Tate, Bruce Broussard, Amanda Fritz, and Don Smith (generating just one to four percent each), most voters have not yet become engaged enough to pick a favorite.

The Tram Controversy: The City of Portland’s controversial tram remains a divisive issue among local residents. Just under half support the city’s participation (46%), while 40% say they oppose the city’s involvement, and 13% are not sure what they think about the project. As with public campaign financing, older residents and Republicans are more likely to stand in opposition.

Portland’s School Levy: Getting either half of the required double majority could be tough for Portland area schools in the May election. With Mayor Potter announcing his four-year plan last week, statistically equal percentages supported and opposed our hypothetical five-year option, which (like the Mayor’s proposal) calls for a just under 1% personal income tax and business surcharge, to benefit local schools. In our survey, 47% said they support the idea, while 44% oppose it and just 9% are undecided.

[See the whole report for yourself, here.]

Downbeat numbers like these have got to be making Commissioner Sten nervous. WWP's prediction: No amount of "voter-owned" election money can change such a negative image apparently now so deeply etched into the public mind; Erik may have to consider going outside VOE to raise bigger bucks. Just a hunch. [And wouldn't that be embarrassing, considering how much he cheered for it? Ah, the predicaments of politics.]

We can hardly wait for The Professor's reaction, especially on the tram [extended rimshot] numbers.

[This post has been edited since its original post. The edits are marked by unlinked, underlined text, both in the first paragraph.]

Comments

[Sirajul]

I'm banned over at Jack's place, but I doubt he'd acknowledge the fact that there's net-positive support for the tram. He'd probably chalk that up to the "creative class" influence (of which I am one).

Sorry, but old crackpots like Jack are dying off - and none too soon.

[Worldwide Pablo]

Taking a wild guess here...you prefer a city that's, for lack of a better term, pretty to live in, right? [And you live between the West Hills and the Willamette River, too, perhaps?]

Not being judgmental, only inquiring. [Knowing Jack, we can predict what might raise his hackles.] Just sorting things out for our part...