This content was published: November 6, 2008. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
Bond measure soars to a resounding 'Yes' with 53 percent of the vote
Photos and story by James Hill
Voters throughout the region OK’d a Portland Community College bond measure Tuesday night worth $374 million. As of Wednesday afternoon, the measure was passing with 53 percent “yes” vote.
As of Thursday, Nov. 6, PCC had 243,232 “yes” votes versus 214,602 “no” votes – a difference of 28,630. PCC’s district stretches across parts of five counties – Yamhill, Columbia, Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington. The vote will translate into reduced waiting lists for students and expanded workforce training for the region.
“We’re grateful that the voters heard our message and supported the college,” said President Preston Pulliams. “We receive such great support for the community. But now we have a lot of work ahead of us to meet the region’s needs.”
The bond measure focuses primarily on new classrooms and labs, and updated classroom technology, to help train the workforce that will fill the region’s shortages. “PCC is an economic engine that can drive the region through tough economic times by training people to fill the vast workforce shortages we’re facing,” Pulliams said. “That message just resonated with voters.”
The 20-year bond measure will cost property owners 32.9 cents per $1,000 assessed value. For the owner of a home assessed at $178,000, that comes to less than $5 per month and less than $60 per year.
About James Hill
James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »