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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 income growth falls below national rate

Per capita income grew 3.9% in 2025, below the national increase of 4.3%.

Oregon&#x27;s per capita <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="income" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/02/02/oregon-income-growth-urban-institute" data-vars-content-id="383bafa9-33f0-4345-bdb6-d9b596ac5be3" data-vars-headline="Oregon income growth falls below national rate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/02/02/oregon-income-growth-urban-institute" target="_self">income</a> growth is slipping compared to the national rate, according to recent federal data reported by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Oregonian" data-vars-click-url="https://www.oregonlive.com/business/2026/05/oregon-income-growth-stalls-as-inflation-accelerates.html?lctg=603e762917a09a13fd0f1614&amp;utm_source=Sailthru&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=Newsletter_morning_briefing%202026-05-26&amp;utm_term=Newsletter_morning_briefing" data-vars-content-id="383bafa9-33f0-4345-bdb6-d9b596ac5be3" data-vars-headline="Oregon income growth falls below national rate" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.oregonlive.com/business/2026/05/oregon-income-growth-stalls-as-inflation-accelerates.html?lctg=603e762917a09a13fd0f1614&amp;utm_source=Sailthru&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=Newsletter_morning_briefing%202026-05-26&amp;utm_term=Newsletter_morning_briefing" target="_blank">the Oregonian</a>.Why it matters: Slowing income growth and persistent inflation are increasing financial pressure on Oregon households.

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.

Portland council restores some cuts to safety, homelessness programs

Councilors reversed several proposed cuts before a final vote.

Portland city councilors finalized the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="city budget" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/05/19/portland-budget-council-shelter-police-amendments" data-vars-content-id="b9b5b833-7b86-48f4-b9bc-8db2b2c85f29" data-vars-headline="Portland council restores some cuts to safety, homelessness programs" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/05/19/portland-budget-council-shelter-police-amendments" target="_self">city budget</a> this week, restoring funding to several programs previously slated for cuts.Why it matters: City leaders prioritized public safety and homelessness services while trying to close a $160 million shortfall in the city&#x27;s $8.5 billion budget.

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.

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.

Oregon voters reject transportation tax package

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

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.

Portland councilors push budget changes ahead of final vote

More than 50 amendments target issues including public safety and homelessness spending.

Portland city councilors are considering more than 50 amendments to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="mayor&#x27;s proposed budget" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/04/21/portland-budget-cuts-jobs-police-parks-homeless-services" data-vars-content-id="817fa45b-e2b2-4997-a0a7-0e3a55c38f46" data-vars-headline="Portland councilors push budget changes ahead of final vote" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/04/21/portland-budget-cuts-jobs-police-parks-homeless-services" target="_self">mayor&#x27;s proposed budget</a> this week.Why it matters: The amendments reflect competing priorities regarding public safety, homelessness and climate spending as Portland confronts a roughly $160 million budget deficit.

News 🗞

Portland's GOL chases best soccer bar title

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

Portland raises arts tax, with fewer paying in

Oregon income growth falls below national rate

Oregon gas tax defeat leaves road funding crisis unresolved