Campaign promising Portlanders a say in city spending fueled by anonymous donors

A Portland ballot initiative, Measure 26-267, which would introduce participatory budgeting so residents have a say in city spending, has accepted just over $2 million in campaign contributions. Roughly two-thirds comes from a nonprofit, the East County Rising Action Fund, whose donors are not publicly disclosed. The fund—based in Rockwood and described as focused on community organizing, voter engagement and progressive policy advocacy in east Multnomah County—received $1.38 million from two out-of-state donor networks, according to its disclosures. The measure would apply to at least 2% of the general fund annually, about $16 million based on the current budget.