Mayor Mark Dion
Portland Mayor Mark Dion discussed the city’s role in handling homelessness and general assistance, noting that over half of the individuals served come from other communities. He highlighted the impact of the Fentanyl crisis and the need for stable housing funding, advocating for a 12-month or 24-month cycle instead of the proposed three-month limit. Dion also addressed the influx of refugees and asylum seekers, emphasizing the need for state support. He criticized the state’s policy on non-citizen funding and stressed the importance of a functional police oversight board, aiming for a resolution by April.
