Vision Into Action

Human Rights Commission? Independent Utility Rate Commission?

Vision Into Action — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 23:37:05 +0000

The Portland Charter is the City of Portland’s Constitution. Every ten years, Portland City Council appoints twenty community members to serve as the Charter Review Commission. The Commission has the ability to research, deliberate and refer to voters proposed changes to the Charter. This is YOUR chance to tell the Commission what you think should be changed, added to or deleted from Portland’s Charter.

Should the Charter Commission refer to voters the option to create an Independent Utility Rate Commission to oversee water and sewer rates?
Should the Charter Review Commission refer to voters an addition to the Charter to ensure continued funding for the Human Rights Commission so it can continue to provide independent recommendations to citizens and elected officials concerning human rights issues in the City of Portland?

Please share your thoughts on what policy and practical issues should be considered by the Commission as it reviews these proposals.

Join our team!

Vision Into Action — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 02:30:30 +0000

We welcome people to join the Vision Into Action Steering Committee to continue to advocate for equity, analyze government engagement processes and community planning projects, and engage people and organizations from the diverse communities of Portland in having a voice in the future of their communities in the Portland Metro Area.

Current position openings:

Equity Volunteer

Marketing and Outreach Volunteer

Does the Portland Plan reflect your vision for the future?

Vision Into Action — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 18:09:57 +0000

There is still time to make sure the Portland Plan is headed in the right direction!

In November, the Planning and Sustainability Commission will hold three hearings on the draft plan (at different locations). The PSC will take written testimony through November 30.

With comparatively little fanfare, the final draft of the Portland Plan was released Wednesday. To dive directly into it, go here. (www.pdxplan.com)

The Plan is the product of 10 workgroups formed to set long-range goals in nine different areas: Business, Education, Sustainability, Health, Design, Housing, Transportation, Civic Engagement and Arts & Culture. The City has produced a Handbook that summarizes the policy recommendations, which is available here. (http://www.portlandonline.com/portlandplan/index.cfm?c=51428)

Vision Into Action played a significant role in helping devise strategies to further the cause of Equity. That work was initially to be part of the proposals regarding Civic Engagement, but as work progressed and public forums were held, it became clear that the issue of Equity was one that permeated every segment of city policy. You’ve seen some of that work manifest itself already, with the formation of the new Office of Equity and Human Rights. (The ordinance creating the office can be found here: http://www.portlandonline.com/fritz/index.cfm?a=365164&c=55242)

What’s next? Vision Into Action will be analyzing the proposals, particularly the policies set out for Education and Design. Additionally, there will be further hearings before the plan is finalized and adopted. Next month, the Planning and Sustainability Commission will hold three hearings on the draft plan (at different locations). The PSC will also take written testimony through Nov. 30. Details about public input are here (http://www.portlandonline.com/portlandplan/index.cfm?c=49008)