Tomorrow morning is the first hearing for a proposed Multnomah County rental car tax increase. The extra revenue raised by the tax could help patch the $42 million county budget shortfall and potentially save some of the human services that are now at the mercy of the state budget.
An editorial in the current issue of Street Roots supports the tax increase:
The tax will face stiff resistance from the tourism industry, but the reality is that without a sales tax, the rental car tax is one of the only sources of revenue we can create from individuals and families who visit our great city. The increase from 12 to 17 percent still doesn’t put Portland in the top 10 around the country for the amount charged to visitors accessing rental cars. It’s not a greedy grab by the county, but instead, a smart investment into a sustainable revenue stream for our community.
County Commissioners won’t vote on the rental car tax tomorrow, but they will hear public testimony on it and other budget issues. To testify, be there at 9 a.m., sign up with a yellow form at the door and give it to clerk Deb Bogstad.
The Multnomah County Board of Commissioners Meeting is Thursday, May 7, 9 a.m. at the Multnomah Building, 501 SE Hawthorne Blvd, First Floor Commissioners Boardroom.
Categories: Street Roots
Tagged: budget, Multnomah County
From the County Health Department.
A handful of overdose deaths in the last few weeks, along with a steady rise in heroin-related deaths over the past year, have raised concerns among county health officials. State heroin overdoses are up 32% from last year, increasing from 89 deaths to 118 deaths. Sixty-six of the 118 deaths were in Multnomah County.
“Heroin overdoses occur in cycles. According to data recently released by the Oregon Medical Examiner, we are on an upswing in several Oregon counties,” says Multnomah County Public Health Officer Dr. Gary Oxman.
Overdoses pose a threat to the lives and health of opiate users and are preventable. There are several factors that can increase a person’s risk of an overdose, including: Drug strength – heroin can vary in purity. At this time it appears the heroin sold in Multnomah County is quite pure, and therefore potentially stronger.
- Combining drugs (heroin with fentanyl, methadone, morphine, or benzodiazepines, etc.). Using after a period of abstinence (including after time spent in jail, drug treatment, or voluntary abstinence, even after a short period of time).
- Using drugs alone, resulting in no one being around to help the overdose victim (this happens often when a person relapses and feels shame about relapsing).
- Experiencing a period of depression or suicidal thoughts.
(more…)
Categories: Where to buy Street Roots
Tagged: Heroin overdoses, Multnomah County, Where to buy Street Roots
