Portland council votes to continue public assistance at least a year

The Portland City Council voted 5-4 to continue providing General Assistance to asylum seekers for at least a year – aid that will cost an estimated $2.6 million. The council voted in support of an proposal by Councilors David Brenerman and Justin Costa shortly before 1:30 a.m. – after an eight-hour meeting that was filled with passionate testimony and procedural moves by councilors.