Council now casting final vote on the budget.

Commissioner Hardesty:
"I want to speak directly to the people who are outraged that we didn't have the audacity to cut $50 million from budget. I want to be clear: that 50 million dollars were based on nothing."

"There was no analysis done. I want to be really clear with our community: You have won significant changes in the police bureau budget. We need to...insure we are not just gutting the police bureau, but we have a vision about where we're moving. The hard work is just beginning."

Hardesty continues: "What I know is that there are a lot of people taking to the street every night who have not before this month actually understood all the work that community and gov't has done to led us to this point."

"That 50 million dollar number was not based on any rational analysis. And I would hope that community members would take a moment to celebrate this incredible moment we're in."

Hardesty says she bets Minneapolis will be in litigation for years with its police union if it goes through with dismantling its police department. "And while that court fight is taking place, the City of Portland will be fundamentally changing how community safety happens."

She continues: "For all the new young white people who are now demanding equality for Black folks in the community... Where were you when Kendra James was killed. Where were you when Keaton Otis was killed. where were you when Aaron Campbell was killed?"

"I can tell you you were not with me reading police reports, you were not with me, advocating for city council for changes...you were not present. And I want you to know that it is not appropriate for you to say to me that I have not gone far enough."

"I'm going to lose patience with people who tell me that I don't know what I'm doing. If you think you can match your resume to mine, contact my office and we'll talk."

Commissioner Eudaly says "the community's demands for $50 million it cuts roughly correlates to police budget increases over the past few years." She mentions that her failed amendment would have eliminated more vacant police positions.

Eudaly apologizes for her office not being as communicative with other council offices over the past weeks. Tells public: "Please do not be discouraged. What is happening today is big. It's not everything you wanted, but it's not incremental."

"Please take a moment to celebrate this victory, and let it fuel your fire, because we're not done."

Eudaly votes 'no' again (A reminder: This will still pass with 3/4 votes.) Oh! And Hardesty voted 'yes', if it wasn't clear.

Commissioner Fritz chokes up as she thanks Commissioner Hardesty for her work: "You have for so many decades been part of the community work pushing for change. It has been an absolute honor to serve with you."

"I am in awe in the work that you have done," Fritz continues "If ever there was a time for white people to be quiet, this was it."

(Some members of the public have expressed frustration with how Fritz hasn't said much about police budget).

Fritz votes 'yes.'

"The city budget is a moral document."

Now, Mayor Wheeler's final comments. Mentions the hard work former Commissioner Fish put into this budget, before he passed away in January.

Wheeler gives a shout out to this @wweek article: https://www.wweek.com/news/2020/06/17/as-protests-against-police-upend-portland-city-hall-commissioner-jo-ann-hardesty-is-in-charge/

He explains why he's following Commissioner Hardesty right now.(In summary): She's a woman of color, with lived experience + has spent decades focus on police accountability.

Wheeler continues: "The highest order of leadership is that when you listen and hear facts contrary to what you believe... you as a leader have a duty to evolve. And that is exactly what I have done."

"I do believe that I have an important role to play in this transitional period. And the only way I can be effective at it is if I'm listening to my colleagues, particularly those who have different lived experience than I do."

"That's what this moment in history means to me in terms of creating a city ...where everyone where lives here feels like they have an equal stake in the future of this community. And that starts with the fundamental belief that they are safe in this community."

(Still Wheeler): "The reality is very clear, it's unmistakable that many people in this community they do not feel safe in the City of Portland. And that requires me, as the leader of this city, to fundamentally rethink what safety makes in this community."

"For the first time in a long time, I feel optimistic!" says Wheeler. "I actually believe we're finally having the right conversations at the right time."

Wheeler votes yep! Budget passes.