Portland city councilor Sameer Kanal talks budget shortfall, cuts to PPB

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — It’s now been three months since the new Portland City Council took office.

They’ve hit the ground running, dealing with a potential $93 million budget shortfall, while working on new Mayor Keith Wilson’s effort to end unsheltered homelessness.

Among the 12 councilors elected in November is Sameer Kanal, representing Portland’s District 2, which covers North and much of Northeast Portland.

A North Portland native, Councilor Kanal received his B.A. in political science and economics from the University of Washington, as well as a Master’s in global affairs from NYU.

Before being elected to the council, Kanal was project manager of the city’s Police Accountability Commission.

Kanal joined this week’s Eye on Northwest Politics to dive deeper into how councilors are looking to cut the $93 million from the budget. He also shared his thoughts about potential cuts to the police bureau, as well as an anticipated expansion of Portland Street Response.

Watch the full interview in the video above.