Three Portland-based organizations are challenging a ballot proposal that would divert money from Portland’s billion-dollar climate action fund to hire more police officers.

The Coalition of Communities of Color, Next Up Action Fund and Portland for All are challenging an initiative that would divert a quarter of the voter-approved Portland Clean Energy Fund’s yearly generated funds to hire about 400 new Portland Police officers.

The challenge to the police-backed initiative was officially filed in Multnomah County Circuit Court on Wednesday by three Portlanders who represent these groups.

The initiative would amend the city’s charter to require more city police, and would divert PCEF dollars to pay for it.

The initiative’s challengers say they have concerns about details in the police spending plan — and they also want to protect the Portland Clean Energy Fund’s work at a time when climate change is accelerating.

“We are committed to ensuring the critical investments in the Portland Clean Energy Fund in community-based organizations and large-scale climate projects are fully preserved to fulfill voters’ intent,” Jenny Lee said. She is one of the three plaintiffs and is deputy director of the Coalition of Communities of Color.

The proposed ballot measure would divert funds raised through the PCEF tax to a new commission that would determine the police expansion. The commission’s five members would be the mayor, police chief, city administrator, police union representative, and one councilor.

Lee said she was disheartened to see that the commission would be primarily composed of unelected members. She said that takes oversight and accountability away from Portlanders.

“In addition to the legal issues, we’re deeply concerned as a policy matter that this would undermine the really critical programs and projects that PCEF is funding,” she said.

Eying billions

The Portland Clean Energy Fund is a first-of-its-kind justice and climate program aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions while advancing racial and social justice. It was created by voters, and its implementation has been led by groups like Lee’s. It passed in 2018 with 65% of voter approval.

PCEF is funded through a 1% tax on the retail sales of large companies in the city. The money is used to fund a range of climate-related projects, including energy-efficient retrofits, renewable energy development, and job training in the construction and energy fields.

Since its inception, the fund’s revenue has repeatedly exceeded forecasts.

Initial estimates calculated that PCEF would raise $40 million to $60 million each year. The tax surcharge has instead generated hundreds of millions more each year than anticipated.

As of this week, the fund has allocated $1.71 billion through its five-year Climate Investment Plan.

And yet, despite the money already being committed, that billion-dollar-plus number has long caught the attention of city leaders and advocates, who have repeatedly proposed additional uses for the fund’s money — including using tens of millions to fill Portland’s dire budget gaps.

But the latest proposal would divert 25% of PCEF’s annual revenue, an estimated $200 million per year, to hire about 400 new police officers. That initiative is being led by the Portland Police Association, car dealership owner Jeff Swickard and former Portland mayoral candidate Bob Simril, who is one of the chief petitioners.

Asked about the challenge to the police funding ballot proposal, Simril said Portland has fewer police officers today than it did in 1993. Funding from PCEF would help reduce 911 response times and “restore community policing,” he said.

“This is not an either-or choice,” he said in an emailed statement. “We can have a safer city while maintaining and even increasing investments in vital climate projects.”

Coalition of Communities of Color’s Lee disagreed, saying the proposed initiative would divert already allocated funds away from local community climate organizations that need it.

“This revenue has been seen as an easy source … or just something that’s out there for the taking, and so it’s been something we’ve sought to defend,” she said. “We know a lot of ideas have been well-intentioned and are attentive to the budgetary issues that the city faces, but that this is a dedicated source of funding and every dollar is needed.”

PCEF manager Sam Baraso said the fund would remain focused on its mission — investing in community projects that lower greenhouse gas emissions and helping to boost the city’s economy, all while helping residents be better prepared under a changing climate.

“Since voters approved the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund in 2018, numerous ideas and proposals have been proposed to modify the program...” he said in an emailed statement. “Should a proposal to alter PCEF qualify for the ballot and be passed by voters, we would work closely with the Mayor, council and City leadership to update the Climate Investment Plan accordingly.

News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2025/12/12/portland-clean-energy-fund-oregon-police/