{"id":7034259,"date":"2026-08-08T22:30:17","date_gmt":"2026-08-08T22:30:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/activist\/call-to-action-protect-pcef-trees-in-the-budget\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T22:30:17","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T22:30:17","slug":"call-to-action-protect-pcef-trees-in-the-budget","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=7034259","title":{"rendered":"Call to Action: Protect PCEF & Trees in the Budget"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Portland is in the middle of what may be one of the most consequential budget processes we\u2019ve seen in recent years \u2014 both for protecting our innovative Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF) and for guiding how power is exercised in our still-forming city government. We can make a difference for climate justice together when we all speak up in powerful moments like these!\u00a0Learn more<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0sign up to testify, or send a written comment<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

350PDX staff have been hard at work the last few weeks to inform City Council members about the benefits of PCEF, the importance of Urban Forestry and tree permitting jobs that are carrying out the Equitable Tree Canopy Program, and the need to protect Portland and our rivers from the dangers posed by the Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Hub.<\/p>\n

Now it\u2019s time for the community to rise up! Support key budget amendments that help uphold a safe and healthy climate and an economy that benefits us all. While the budget amendment process is still evolving, see below for some of the amendments we will be supporting, and find more information in our\u00a0talking points document<\/a>.<\/p>\n

4 Ways to Participate<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Budget amendments were posted last night, and\u00a0the opportunity for public comment is on Monday (5\/18),<\/strong>\u00a0which doesn\u2019t give the community very long to weigh in! Use the following tools to learn more about what is being proposed and to make your voice heard. The\u00a0350PDX talking points<\/a>\u00a0can guide your public testimony.<\/p>\n

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  1. \n

    Sign up for verbal testimony<\/a>, which will be on\u00a0Monday, May 18, starting at 9:30am.<\/strong>\u00a0You can testify in person or virtually. Each testifier can speak for\u00a090 seconds.<\/strong>\u00a0(Use\u00a0350PDX talking points<\/a>.)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  2. \n

    Written testimony<\/a>\u00a0will be received through Wednesday, May 20. (Use\u00a0350PDX talking points<\/a>.)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Send this pre-written email<\/a>, or modify it with your own words.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  4. \n

    Forward this message to friends and ask them to take action!<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Councilors plan to vote on the budget on Wednesday, so earlier comments are more effective.<\/p>\n

    Budget Amendments We\u2019re Here For<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    We appreciate the work and creativity City Councilors have been putting in to try to balance this budget, even though we\u2019re facing a shortfall (partially due to changes to taxes at the federal level). The following budget amendments help prioritize community health and safety, recognizing that this includes climate justice. More information can be found in our\u00a0talking points<\/a>\u00a0or on the\u00a0Portland website<\/a>\u00a0(Attachment H<\/a>).<\/p>\n