| Dear Neighbor, After months of council debate, 14 budget town halls, and five hours of public comment, we passed a budget that gets to work on our city’s biggest problems. That’s all thanks to you. Nearly 300 people came out to have their voices heard, overwhelmingly speaking in support of pragmatic solutions to homelessness, public safety, and housing affordability. We have a long way to go, but as you know, we’re a city on the cusp — and this budget will build on the basics to create the clean, safe and more affordable city we all want to live in. Because you spoke out, we cemented our commitment to open 1,000 new interim housing units this year (more than any other city on the West Coast) using Measure E funds and gave our outreach workers and police officers new tools to make sure people choose housing or treatment when it is available through our Responsibility to Shelter policy. We won on all fronts but one – a majority of our Councilmembers refused to tie their pay to performance on our biggest goals. They allowed this budget to demand accountability — from everyone but themselves. I’m disappointed but not surprised. And I want to thank Vice Mayor Foley, Councilmember Casey, and Councilmember Mulcahy for doing what few in politics are willing to do — hold themselves accountable. The good news? We all now see who’s willing to have skin in the game — and who’s content to collect a paycheck no matter what results we deliver. It may be time to take this question directly to the voters, instead of leaving it to the political insiders. If you want to continue supporting this fight, click here. Thank you again for showing up—for your city, for your neighbors, and for the future we’re building together. Yours,  Mayor Matt |