My latest piece examines new reporting about the funding behind the proposed Participatory Budgeting Initiative and asks three simple questions:

• Who is paying for this campaign?

• What existing city services would be reduced to fund a permanent $16 million annual mandate, especially in light of the existing $160 million budget shortfall?

• How can voters be confident that a small, organized group won’t end up directing spending decisions?

Transparency shouldn’t be optional, especially when the proposal would amend Portland’s Charter and commit taxpayer dollars year after year.