The Metro regional government in Portland, Ore., stirred up some protests when it tried to charge $30 for admission to a brainstorming session on the city’s growth. In response to the protest from several people who said the fee would discourage participation, Metro agreed to waive the fee for anybody who asked, saying the $30 was only meant to cover the costs of the meeting, according to The Oregonian. The point of the forum was to discuss meeting the needs of more than 1 million new residents expected to live in the city by 2030.
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