federal funds to Corvallis transportation will be cut?

[K A]

City of Corvallis and State of Oregon transportation funding, affordable housing funding, etc. will likely be cut because Oregon and Corvallis say they'll be nice to historically disadvantaged people . . .

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From City Councilor Ellis to her neighborhood:

On Aug 19, 2025, at 8:51 AM, Ellis, Charlyn <Charly...@corvallisoregon.gov> wrote:



Everyone,

I have a philosophical question on city values I'd like to hear your thoughts on-- and anything else that is on your mind.  I was thinking of a couple of evenings in Franklin Park-- this Thursday and next Monday  at seven. If another park or day   works best for a group, let me know. Please forward to anyone who might be interested.

The question:  Transit funding vs. sanctuary city policy. I am using transit as my example, knowing that there are other funds in the city and county at risk, because it is tangible. People can see the bus.

 

According to our public works director, “We annually receive enough federal money to cover about ½ of our current transit operating costs.  However, we don’t always use 100% of it for operating, that changes based on the needs of the system and our other revenue sources.”

 

The current federal administration is talking about reducing or eliminating federal funding for programs that do not meet their goals or for cities/counties/states that do not conform to their ideals. Oregon is a sanctuary state; Corvallis is a sanctuary city. In fact, we recently expanded our definition of sanctuary status, which I believe is a good thing.

 

My concern is that these two statements—funding vs. sanctuary status—are, at this moment in contradiction. So what do we do? We value our people and want everyone to feel safe in our community. However, we also value—and need—our transit system, our affordable housing grants that come from the federal level, and other benefits. We need to begin a community conversation on this contradiction. What do we value? What are we willing to let slide? What are we willing to stand up for and protect? This is not an easy question.  There is no clear right answer. But, the discussion will go better if we start now, before we are asked to make those choices, rather than waiting.

Thanks, 

Charlyn Ellis

Ward Five

Corvallis Oregon

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