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Portland fee hikes could cost residents $1,500 more a year

Utility bills, fees and taxes are climbing across Portland.

News

The average Portlander could see a $1,500 increase in expenses over the coming year.Why it matters: A cascade of tax hikes, new fees and utility rate increases will push the cost-of-living up even further for Rose City residents.

Portland raises arts tax, with fewer paying in

More low-income residents will be exempt under the new plan.

Fewer people will pay the arts tax, but those who do will pay more after <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="city council" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/05/21/city-budget-restores-safety-homelessness-funding" data-vars-content-id="70abd271-f31a-4bde-9202-df428f53d7e8" data-vars-headline="Portland raises arts tax, with fewer paying in" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/05/21/city-budget-restores-safety-homelessness-funding" target="_self">city council</a> approved an overhaul of the controversial charge on Wednesday.Why it matters: The 7-5 vote marks the first major overhaul of one of Portland&#x27;s most unpopular taxes since voters first approved it in 2012, and the increase was met with opposition by some.

Oregon gas tax defeat leaves road funding crisis unresolved

State leaders still need a long-term plan to fund roads and highways.

Oregon lawmakers are expected to take yet another stab at tackling <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="transportation funding" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/05/20/oregon-voters-reject-gas-tax-vehicle-fees" data-vars-content-id="6334e8f0-d36d-40c9-ab49-14e408d0b7a2" data-vars-headline="Oregon gas tax defeat leaves road funding crisis unresolved" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/05/20/oregon-voters-reject-gas-tax-vehicle-fees" target="_self">transportation funding</a> next year after voters overwhelmingly rejected Measure 120.Why it matters: Most of the structural problems behind Oregon&#x27;s transportation funding shortfall remain unresolved.

Portland filmmaker spotlights First Thursday, skate culture

The characters encounter some strange people along the way, though.

Culture

Local filmmaker Thom Hilton&#x27;s latest 30-minute short is a love letter to two longtime Portland institutions — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="First Thursday" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/04/04/first-thursday-art-walk-outdoor-market-portland" data-vars-content-id="cb164b8b-6c38-42d0-a7a9-9831289a19c5" data-vars-headline="Portland filmmaker spotlights First Thursday, skate culture" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/04/04/first-thursday-art-walk-outdoor-market-portland" target="_self">First Thursday</a> and the city&#x27;s skateboarding scene.The big picture: &quot;Waking Up From a Nap on a Long Day of Doing Nothing&quot; follows a painter and his friend as they skate around the city in an attempt to assuage his anxiety about his first gallery show.

Oregon gray whale strandings raise alarm of die-off

Three gray whales found on Oregon beaches add to concerns about a wider die-off.

Climate

Nearly two dozen <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="gray whales" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/10/04/oregon-gray-whales-foraging-techniques" data-vars-content-id="b671108b-61cb-4616-8476-d6263eb5932e" data-vars-headline="Oregon gray whale strandings raise alarm of die-off" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/10/04/oregon-gray-whales-foraging-techniques" target="_self">gray whales</a> have washed ashore along the West Coast this year, including three found on Oregon beaches — a troubling sign some experts say may signal another die-off event.The big picture: Many of the whales appeared upon necropsy to be emaciated, meaning <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="they did not get enough food" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/05/31/sea-urchin-boom-harms-oregon-gray-whales" data-vars-content-id="b671108b-61cb-4616-8476-d6263eb5932e" data-vars-headline="Oregon gray whale strandings raise alarm of die-off" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/05/31/sea-urchin-boom-harms-oregon-gray-whales" target="_self">they did not get enough food</a> during last summer&#x27;s feeding session, Michael Milstein, a spokesperson with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, told <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="OPB" data-vars-click-url="https://www.opb.org/article/2026/04/20/gray-whales-starving-died-oregon-coast/" data-vars-content-id="b671108b-61cb-4616-8476-d6263eb5932e" data-vars-headline="Oregon gray whale strandings raise alarm of die-off" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.opb.org/article/2026/04/20/gray-whales-starving-died-oregon-coast/" target="_blank">OPB</a>.

Warming climate prompts longer allergy season in Portland

A warming climate is extending the freeze-free season and worsening pollen in the Northwest.

Grab your tissues: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Allergy season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/04/11/climate-change-allergy-season-oregon-longer" data-vars-content-id="a7ccdaed-f100-44b1-9c43-6f9f38011886" data-vars-headline="Warming climate prompts longer allergy season in Portland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/04/11/climate-change-allergy-season-oregon-longer" target="_self">Allergy season</a> is getting longer in Portland amid climate change, according to a new analysis from Climate Central.The big picture: The freeze-free growing season for plants lengthened from 1970 to 2025 in nearly 90% of the 198 cities analyzed in the climate research group&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="latest report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/2026-allergy-season" data-vars-content-id="a7ccdaed-f100-44b1-9c43-6f9f38011886" data-vars-headline="Warming climate prompts longer allergy season in Portland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/2026-allergy-season" target="_blank">latest report</a>.

Portland's winters grow longer, bucking U.S. trend

A new Climate Central analysis finds Portland winters lasting four days longer.

Winters are getting shorter across most U.S. cities amid <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="climate change" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/08/04/extreme-heat-streaks-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="9473f9d8-e176-479e-a933-be973a8acf6b" data-vars-headline="Portland&#x27;s winters grow longer, bucking U.S. trend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/08/04/extreme-heat-streaks-climate-change" target="_self">climate change</a>, but not in Portland.<ul><li>That&#x27;s per a new<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text=" analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/shorter-winters-in-195-us-cities" data-vars-content-id="9473f9d8-e176-479e-a933-be973a8acf6b" data-vars-headline="Portland&#x27;s winters grow longer, bucking U.S. trend" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/shorter-winters-in-195-us-cities" target="_blank"> analysis</a> based on temperatures rather than calendar dates from Climate Central, a climate research group.</li></ul>Driving the news: Compared to the 1970-1997 period, winters are now shorter in 80% of the 245 U.S. cities analyzed in the report.

Portland's midwinter weather suddenly feels like spring

It&#x27;s no mirage: Portland is experiencing a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="midwinter warmup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/01/20/oregon-warm-winter-snowpack-risk" data-vars-content-id="8bccf167-5cbf-41e6-a4ee-3e5489e898aa" data-vars-headline="Portland&#x27;s midwinter weather suddenly feels like spring" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/01/20/oregon-warm-winter-snowpack-risk" target="_self">midwinter warmup</a>.Driving the news: The Pacific Northwest is having a stretch of unusually warm weather, with temperatures in Oregon and southwest Washington expected to climb into the upper 50s and lower 60s this week, per <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the National Weather Service" data-vars-click-url="https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=pqr&amp;issuedby=PQR&amp;product=AFD" data-vars-content-id="8bccf167-5cbf-41e6-a4ee-3e5489e898aa" data-vars-headline="Portland&#x27;s midwinter weather suddenly feels like spring" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=pqr&amp;issuedby=PQR&amp;product=AFD" target="_blank">the National Weather Service</a>.

Portland's first freeze is arriving later

Later freezes could extend allergy season and harm crop yields.

As La Niña is expected to bring a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="colder, wetter winter" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/10/23/la-nina-forecast-winter-weather-oregon" data-vars-content-id="3ae43188-c860-4dfb-91bd-8071aeed171b" data-vars-headline="Portland&#x27;s first freeze is arriving later" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/10/23/la-nina-forecast-winter-weather-oregon" target="_self">colder, wetter winter</a> to Portland, we&#x27;re only a few weeks out until our first freeze, too.The big picture: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first freezing temperatures" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/22/first-freeze-frost-dates-map" data-vars-content-id="3ae43188-c860-4dfb-91bd-8071aeed171b" data-vars-headline="Portland&#x27;s first freeze is arriving later" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/09/22/first-freeze-frost-dates-map" target="_self">first freezing temperatures</a> after summer are coming later on the calendar than they used to, according to a new analysis.

La Niña to bring colder, wetter winter to Oregon

Forecasters say La Niña will bring more snow and rain across Oregon this winter.

Portlanders should prepare for another <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wet, cold winter" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/01/19/winter-depression-storm-pacific-northwest" data-vars-content-id="168ff589-0d31-4282-93dc-eebe4bad4ddc" data-vars-headline="La Niña to bring colder, wetter winter to Oregon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/01/19/winter-depression-storm-pacific-northwest" target="_self">wet, cold winter</a>, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the latest outlook" data-vars-click-url="https://www.weather.gov/media/abr/sitreport/2025-2026WinterOutlook.pdf" data-vars-content-id="168ff589-0d31-4282-93dc-eebe4bad4ddc" data-vars-headline="La Niña to bring colder, wetter winter to Oregon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.weather.gov/media/abr/sitreport/2025-2026WinterOutlook.pdf" target="_blank">the latest outlook</a> from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.The big picture: The Pacific Northwest is expected to see above-average precipitation totals and below-average temperatures for December, January and February, in part due to a developing weak La Niña — similar to what we saw <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="last year" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/10/18/wet-and-cold-winter-ahead" data-vars-content-id="168ff589-0d31-4282-93dc-eebe4bad4ddc" data-vars-headline="La Niña to bring colder, wetter winter to Oregon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/10/18/wet-and-cold-winter-ahead" target="_self">last year</a>.

Most Portland students attend school in urban heat zones

70% of students attend schools in areas that are up to 8° hotter due to the urban heat island effect.

Most K–12 public students in Portland attend schools in extreme <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="urban heat zones," data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/11/heat-islands-us-record-temperatures" data-vars-content-id="bc46d55d-1e63-43c7-bce6-f44922cc7ca8" data-vars-headline="Most Portland students attend school in urban heat zones" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/07/11/heat-islands-us-record-temperatures" target="_self">urban heat zones,</a> a new analysis finds.Why it matters: The heat island effect can make some neighborhoods notably warmer than others, especially during heat waves like the one we&#x27;re in currently.

Oregon braces for another hot, dry summer

June through September has a 50-60% chance of being hotter than average for most of the state.

Most of Oregon is staring down a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hotter and drier" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/06/09/portland-summer-temperatures-rise" data-vars-content-id="c9405571-c903-4bbe-9a50-5a6d2ad4f806" data-vars-headline="Oregon braces for another hot, dry summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/06/09/portland-summer-temperatures-rise" target="_self">hotter and drier</a> than average summer, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new climate forecasts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/long_range/seasonal.php?lead=1" data-vars-content-id="c9405571-c903-4bbe-9a50-5a6d2ad4f806" data-vars-headline="Oregon braces for another hot, dry summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/long_range/seasonal.php?lead=1" target="_blank">new climate forecasts</a>.Why it matters: Warmer temperatures and less precipitation raises the chances of drought conditions, wildfire risk and the potential of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="heat-related deaths" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/05/12/multnomah-county-officials-warn-of-rising-heat-risks" data-vars-content-id="c9405571-c903-4bbe-9a50-5a6d2ad4f806" data-vars-headline="Oregon braces for another hot, dry summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/05/12/multnomah-county-officials-warn-of-rising-heat-risks" target="_self">heat-related deaths</a>.

Portland gets a "C" for ozone pollution

The city ranked 105th worst for the number of high ozone days among other metros.

The Portland metro area lands in the middle of the pack for ozone pollution, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a new report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/23/air-quality-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="b907228e-266a-4922-bdbd-cd5e7a653189" data-vars-headline="Portland gets a &quot;C&quot; for ozone pollution" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/04/23/air-quality-climate-change" target="_self">a new report</a> from the American Lung Association, but Oregon still faces <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mounting climate challenges" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/01/13/oregon-climate-change-report-utility-costs" data-vars-content-id="b907228e-266a-4922-bdbd-cd5e7a653189" data-vars-headline="Portland gets a &quot;C&quot; for ozone pollution" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/01/13/oregon-climate-change-report-utility-costs" target="_self">mounting climate challenges</a> that affect air quality.Why it matters: Air pollution threatens <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the health of everyone" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/02/15/climate-change-air-quality-oregon" data-vars-content-id="b907228e-266a-4922-bdbd-cd5e7a653189" data-vars-headline="Portland gets a &quot;C&quot; for ozone pollution" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/02/15/climate-change-air-quality-oregon" target="_self">the health of everyone</a> — especially children, seniors, and people with asthma or heart and lung conditions.

Cold, dry conditions to continue across Portland next week

Expect more clear skies and cold temperatures this week.

Portland could see its driest January on record this month, as a persistent ridge of high pressure has brought dry conditions, clear skies and sharp cold with no signs of rain in the forecast for the next week.Why it matters: This is not normal for this time of year.

Axios What's Next

A symbol map of U.S. cities showing the change in average allergy season length from 1970 to 2025. For most cities, the season has gotten longer, by an average of 23 days. Reno, Nevada, shows an increase of 100 days, while Tulsa, Oklahoma, has a decrease of 15 days.

Change in the average length of allergy season from 1970 to 2025

Data: Climate Central; Note: Map shows data for the two largest cities in each state, where available; Map: Axios Visuals

A U.S. map showing the change in average length of consecutive winter days from 1970-1997 to 1998-2025. 15 metro areas experienced 20 fewer days of winter, including Juneau, Alaska with 62 fewer days. Only metros experienced 20 more days: Eureka, California (50) and Monterey (46).

Change in the average length of winter

Data: Climate Central; Note: Winter temperature threshold based on the coldest 90-day window; Map: Jacque Schrag/Axios

Axios Seattle

A symbol map of the U.S. showing the change in the first freeze calendar date from 1970 to 2024 in 205 select cities. The first freeze now comes later in almost all cities, with the biggest change in Reno, Nev. (41 days later). Some cities now have an earlier first freeze, including Dothan, Ala. (16 days sooner). 

Climate 🌿

Oregon gray whale strandings raise alarm of die-off

Warming climate prompts longer allergy season in Portland

Portland's winters grow longer, bucking U.S. trend

Portland's midwinter weather suddenly feels like spring

Portland's first freeze is arriving later