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Oregon voters reject transportation tax package

Lawmakers must now find another way to fund road repairs and transportation projects.

News

Oregon voters overwhelmingly rejected <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a hike in gas taxes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/04/28/oregon-primary-gas-tax-measure-120-gop-governor-race" data-vars-content-id="a59b6d62-c76e-4d00-a31b-96dc09d6a827" data-vars-headline="Oregon voters reject transportation tax package" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/04/28/oregon-primary-gas-tax-measure-120-gop-governor-race" target="_self">a hike in gas taxes</a> and other vehicle fees to fund transportation in Tuesday&#x27;s primary election, according to the Associated Press.Why it matters: The vote was the culmination of a long-running fight over how to fund road maintenance and transportation projects, but leaves many unanswered questions about where the state goes from here.

Where races stand in Oregon's May primary election

State Rep. Christine Drazan picked up the Republican nominee for governor.

State Sen. Christine Drazan is Oregon&#x27;s Republican nominee for governor, capturing 43 % of the vote in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tuesday&#x27;s primary election" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/04/28/oregon-primary-gas-tax-measure-120-gop-governor-race" data-vars-content-id="a4323354-ff09-42b2-8096-47bf4c66757c" data-vars-headline="Where races stand in Oregon&#x27;s May primary election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/04/28/oregon-primary-gas-tax-measure-120-gop-governor-race" target="_self">Tuesday&#x27;s primary election</a>, according to the Associated Press.The big picture: Drazan beat out <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a crowded field" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/04/24/oregon-republican-primary-governor-kotek-criticism" data-vars-content-id="a4323354-ff09-42b2-8096-47bf4c66757c" data-vars-headline="Where races stand in Oregon&#x27;s May primary election" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/04/24/oregon-republican-primary-governor-kotek-criticism" target="_self">a crowded field</a> of candidates — including ex-Blazer Chris Dudley, state Rep. Ed Diehl and Marion County commissioner Danielle Bethell — to set up a rematch with Gov. Tina Kotek in November.

The AI backlash is growing in Oregon and beyond

From local data center fights to fears about jobs and energy use, resistance to AI is mounting.

If <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="AI" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/04/20/reader-reactions-generative-ai-opinions" data-vars-content-id="f917b535-609e-425a-92c9-d357b7e13c27" data-vars-headline="The AI backlash is growing in Oregon and beyond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/04/20/reader-reactions-generative-ai-opinions" target="_self">AI</a> were a candidate for political office, it would be losing in a landslide.Why it matters: The AI hype cycle would have you believe the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="technology" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/technology" data-vars-content-id="f917b535-609e-425a-92c9-d357b7e13c27" data-vars-headline="The AI backlash is growing in Oregon and beyond" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/technology" target="_self">technology</a> is inevitable. But AI backlash is growing, as people worry it will steal their jobs, jack up electricity rates and further enrich the wealthy, all while hurting the environment.

Sports Bra eyes national expansion with community funding

Fans can buy equity as the Portland bar plans rapid expansion.

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sports Bra" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/05/22/best-day-ever-the-sports-bras-jenny-nguyen" data-vars-content-id="f4047c2b-c710-4eba-bcc7-f16757fffaff" data-vars-headline="Sports Bra eyes national expansion with community funding" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/05/22/best-day-ever-the-sports-bras-jenny-nguyen" target="_self">Sports Bra</a>, the Portland watering hole that put women&#x27;s sports bars on the map, is eyeing a rapid expansion powered by community funding.The big picture: Founder Jenny Nguyen is betting big that surging interest in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="women&#x27;s sports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/12/02/womens-sports-ranking-thorns-fire" data-vars-content-id="f4047c2b-c710-4eba-bcc7-f16757fffaff" data-vars-headline="Sports Bra eyes national expansion with community funding" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/12/02/womens-sports-ranking-thorns-fire" target="_self">women&#x27;s sports</a> can fuel the nationwide growth of such bars.

Oregon has the worst racial health disparities in the West

American Indian and Alaska Native communities face the poorest health outcomes in the state.

Health

Oregon has &quot;more severe&quot; racial and ethnic <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="health disparities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/01/12/oregon-ranks-19th-in-national-health-report" data-vars-content-id="e8484c36-afc8-420f-94a7-a3e494f41c35" data-vars-headline="Oregon has the worst racial health disparities in the West" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/01/12/oregon-ranks-19th-in-national-health-report" target="_self">health disparities</a> in its health system compared to other states in the West, according to a recent Commonwealth Fund <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/fund-reports/2026/apr/commonwealth-fund-2026-state-health-disparities-report" data-vars-content-id="e8484c36-afc8-420f-94a7-a3e494f41c35" data-vars-headline="Oregon has the worst racial health disparities in the West" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/fund-reports/2026/apr/commonwealth-fund-2026-state-health-disparities-report" target="_blank">report</a>.The big picture: No state has eliminated <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="health disparitie" data-vars-click-url="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11806735/" data-vars-content-id="e8484c36-afc8-420f-94a7-a3e494f41c35" data-vars-headline="Oregon has the worst racial health disparities in the West" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11806735/" target="_blank">health disparitie</a><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="s" data-vars-click-url="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11806735/" data-vars-content-id="e8484c36-afc8-420f-94a7-a3e494f41c35" data-vars-headline="Oregon has the worst racial health disparities in the West" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11806735/" target="_blank">s</a> between racial and ethnic groups — and researchers warn <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recent federal policy shifts" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/16/axios-live-event-dc-specialty-health-care-access" data-vars-content-id="e8484c36-afc8-420f-94a7-a3e494f41c35" data-vars-headline="Oregon has the worst racial health disparities in the West" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/04/16/axios-live-event-dc-specialty-health-care-access" target="_self">recent federal policy shifts</a> are likely to widen them.

Oregon's hospitals are highly consolidated, report shows

A Yale analysis finds about 72% of Oregon hospitals are concentrated under a few systems.

Oregon&#x27;s health care system is heavily consolidated among just a few hospital systems, a dynamic that has <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="raised concern" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/08/18/ohsu-legacy-health-merger-oregon" data-vars-content-id="17aeab07-b44b-4096-8285-2c6fe4b46dee" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s hospitals are highly consolidated, report shows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/08/18/ohsu-legacy-health-merger-oregon" target="_self">raised concern</a> among critics and state lawmakers in the past.Why it matters: As rising health care costs put more financial strain on Americans, &quot;one major and underappreciated factor driving price increases is rising consolidation among U.S. hospitals,&quot; according to Yale&#x27;s new <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Health Care Affordability Lab" data-vars-click-url="https://www.healthcareaffordabilitylab.org/commentary-press-release-posts/a-ranking-of-all-50-states-by-hospital-consolidation" data-vars-content-id="17aeab07-b44b-4096-8285-2c6fe4b46dee" data-vars-headline="Oregon&#x27;s hospitals are highly consolidated, report shows" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.healthcareaffordabilitylab.org/commentary-press-release-posts/a-ranking-of-all-50-states-by-hospital-consolidation" target="_blank">Health Care Affordability Lab</a>.

Opioid use in pregnancy has more than doubled

A new study links a sharp rise in opioid use to poor outcomes for mothers and babies.

The rate of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="opioid use" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/02/20/oregon-overdose-deaths-fentanyl" data-vars-content-id="52aad546-e52c-4fee-a1c6-6bb5174e8791" data-vars-headline="Opioid use in pregnancy has more than doubled" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/02/20/oregon-overdose-deaths-fentanyl" target="_self">opioid use</a> in pregnancy more than doubled over the past decade, a new Oregon Health &amp; Science University <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="study" data-vars-click-url="https://journals.lww.com/journaladdictionmedicine/abstract/9900/maternal_opioid_related_diagnosis_in_pregnancy_and.632.aspx" data-vars-content-id="52aad546-e52c-4fee-a1c6-6bb5174e8791" data-vars-headline="Opioid use in pregnancy has more than doubled" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://journals.lww.com/journaladdictionmedicine/abstract/9900/maternal_opioid_related_diagnosis_in_pregnancy_and.632.aspx" target="_blank">study</a> using California hospital data found.Why it matters: Researchers warn the sharp rise puts both mothers and babies at risk — increasing the chance for negative complications such as hypertension, respiratory distress, preterm birth, infant withdrawal syndrome and death.

Potentially severe flu season looms for Oregon

A new, mutated strain of the virus is out and about.

Oregon may be facing a harsher flu season this year, as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a more severe virus" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/13/h3n2-new-flu-strain-symptoms-virus" data-vars-content-id="cfc4f1d1-a19c-4e29-ae74-1d7674509a88" data-vars-headline="Potentially severe flu season looms for Oregon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/11/13/h3n2-new-flu-strain-symptoms-virus" target="_self">a more severe virus</a> is beginning to spread earlier and faster nationwide, though it remains to be seen how sickly things will get.Why it matters: The flu can cause a whole slew of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="nasty symptoms" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cdc.gov/flu/signs-symptoms/index.html" data-vars-content-id="cfc4f1d1-a19c-4e29-ae74-1d7674509a88" data-vars-headline="Potentially severe flu season looms for Oregon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cdc.gov/flu/signs-symptoms/index.html" target="_blank">nasty symptoms</a> — like sore throat, runny nose, fever, cough and more — that can lead to hospitalization and even death in some cases.

Oregon sues Trump over SNAP freeze

Oregon says the Trump administration is unlawfully withholding food assistance benefits during the shutdown.

Oregon, along with two dozen other Democratic-led states, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sued" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/28/trump-snap-food-stamps-lawsuit-democrats" data-vars-content-id="27b26510-dbcd-495d-adfc-457d91fb7eda" data-vars-headline="Oregon sues Trump over SNAP freeze" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/28/trump-snap-food-stamps-lawsuit-democrats" target="_self">sued</a> the Trump administration this week to force it to resume <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="food assistance payments" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/24/gov-shutdown-snap-payments-emergency-funds" data-vars-content-id="27b26510-dbcd-495d-adfc-457d91fb7eda" data-vars-headline="Oregon sues Trump over SNAP freeze" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/24/gov-shutdown-snap-payments-emergency-funds" target="_self">food assistance payments</a> as the federal government shutdown drags on.The big picture: More than 750,000 Oregonians rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and the Department of Agriculture has warned benefits will stop on Saturday.

Obesity spikes among Oregon's young adults

More than a quarter of Oregon adults under 25 are now considered obese.

Oregon saw the highest obesity rate increase of any state from 2019 and 2024, according to new data — a troubling statistic experts say could impact <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="public health" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/03/27/multnomah-county-among-healthiest" data-vars-content-id="c0917dc2-d606-483a-9e64-fc8eb5558faa" data-vars-headline="Obesity spikes among Oregon&#x27;s young adults" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/03/27/multnomah-county-among-healthiest" target="_self">public health</a> for decades to come.Why it matters: Obesity is tied to several health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, hypertension and more.

Ping-pong brings relief to Portland Parkinson's patients

Table tennis is improving balance and building community for Portlanders with Parkinson's.

In Southeast Portland, a group of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Parkinson&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/08/20/deep-brain-stimulation-parkinsons-relief" data-vars-content-id="7c1c6502-cbb4-451f-978d-fffc501ac4a7" data-vars-headline="Ping-pong brings relief to Portland Parkinson&#x27;s patients" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/08/20/deep-brain-stimulation-parkinsons-relief" target="_self">Parkinson&#x27;s</a> patients have found an unlikely ally in their battle against the disease: ping-pong paddles.Why it matters: Table tennis is emerging as a surprising source of therapy and community for those with Parkinson&#x27;s disease — boosting balance, easing tremors and creating meaningful connection.

Several Portland-area hospitals aren't prescribing COVID shots

Without clear federal guidance or state protections, some doctors are turning patients away.

Despite Oregon joining other West Coast states in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="developing its own vaccine guidelines" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/09/03/oregon-covid-vaccines-availability-kotek" data-vars-content-id="52f7c5a1-980d-429d-8a5a-098573d31acc" data-vars-headline="Several Portland-area hospitals aren&#x27;t prescribing COVID shots" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/09/03/oregon-covid-vaccines-availability-kotek" target="_self">developing its own vaccine guidelines</a>, some doctors and hospitals are reluctant to prescribe COVID shots without clear federal recommendations or state-level legal protections.Why it matters: Several Portland-area doctors and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="health care systems" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/05/15/oregon-hospitals-er-visits-average-5-hours" data-vars-content-id="52f7c5a1-980d-429d-8a5a-098573d31acc" data-vars-headline="Several Portland-area hospitals aren&#x27;t prescribing COVID shots" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/05/15/oregon-hospitals-er-visits-average-5-hours" target="_self">health care systems</a>, including Providence and Oregon Health &amp; Science University, are hesitant to prescribe the vaccine or are outright turning patients away, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Oregonian" data-vars-click-url="https://www.oregonlive.com/health/2025/09/oregon-doctors-hesitate-to-dispense-latest-covid-19-vaccines-in-vacuum-of-medical-guidance.html" data-vars-content-id="52f7c5a1-980d-429d-8a5a-098573d31acc" data-vars-headline="Several Portland-area hospitals aren&#x27;t prescribing COVID shots" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.oregonlive.com/health/2025/09/oregon-doctors-hesitate-to-dispense-latest-covid-19-vaccines-in-vacuum-of-medical-guidance.html" target="_blank">the Oregonian</a>.

Oregon pushes back on Trump's COVID vaccine policy

The state joins its West Coast neighbors in establishing a new "health alliance."

Oregon is joining Washington and California in developing its own vaccine guidance in response to what Gov. Tina Kotek is calling the &quot;politicalization&quot; of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Why it matters: The new West Coast Health Alliance is the first blue state public health partnership to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="push back" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/03/rfk-jr-resign-hhs-employees-letter-trump-cdc" data-vars-content-id="2fc583e4-dfcb-42d9-a82d-bccb4fa22b40" data-vars-headline="Oregon pushes back on Trump&#x27;s COVID vaccine policy" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/03/rfk-jr-resign-hhs-employees-letter-trump-cdc" target="_self">push back</a> against Trump administration policies.

C-section births cost nearly $29K in Oregon

In turn, home births have increased in part due to hospital costs.

Having a baby isn&#x27;t cheap anywhere, but Oregon ranks as the fourth-most-expensive state in the U.S. for delivering a baby via C-section, according to FAIR Health.Why it matters: Birth costs are just one of many financial burdens for new parents, with pediatrician and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="child care bills" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/06/03/oregon-infant-care-costs-rise" data-vars-content-id="31b8f9c2-3067-401f-af25-c46e3204e772" data-vars-headline="C-section births cost nearly $29K in Oregon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/06/03/oregon-infant-care-costs-rise" target="_self">child care bills</a> often following soon after.

📉 Overdose deaths down

Overdose deaths fall in Oregon for second year in a row

A bar chart that shows uninsured rates in Oregon by race and ethnicity in 2024. Rates range from 5% for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) residents to 18% for American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) residents. Hispanic residents are at 14%, Black residents at 9%, and White residents at 6%, with AIAN and Hispanic groups highest.

Uninsured rates in Oregon

Data: Commonwealth Fund 2026 State Health Disparities Report; Chart: Meira Gebel/Axios

A choropleth map of the U.S. showing share of hospitals that are in a highly concentrated market or part of a monopoly in 2025. In North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming, all hospitals are highly concentrated or part of a monopoly. In D.C., none are. Market concentration is particularly high in the mountain west and coastal south.

Health 🩺

Overdose deaths fall in Oregon for second year in a row

Oregon has the worst racial health disparities in the West

Oregon's hospitals are highly consolidated, report shows

Oregon eliminates surprise bills for cervical cancer care

Opioid use in pregnancy has more than doubled