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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.

Crowded GOP field targets Gov. Tina Kotek

The Oregon GOP hasn't occupied the governor's mansion since Victor G. Atiyeh's tenure ended in 1987.

Politics

Oregon&#x27;s gubernatorial primary next month features a crowded field of Republicans running for the opportunity to unseat incumbent Democratic <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Gov. Tina Kotek" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/01/07/transportation-funding-bill-kotek-repeal" data-vars-content-id="d7d12bc4-9194-4a9d-b49f-dcf6b2785fe3" data-vars-headline="Crowded GOP field targets Gov. Tina Kotek" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/01/07/transportation-funding-bill-kotek-repeal" target="_self">Gov. Tina Kotek</a>.The big picture: The Oregon GOP hasn&#x27;t occupied <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the governor&#x27;s mansion" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nga.org/former-governors/oregon/" data-vars-content-id="d7d12bc4-9194-4a9d-b49f-dcf6b2785fe3" data-vars-headline="Crowded GOP field targets Gov. Tina Kotek" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nga.org/former-governors/oregon/" target="_blank">the governor&#x27;s mansion</a> since Victor G. Atiyeh&#x27;s tenure ended in 1987 and it doesn&#x27;t control a single statewide office.

Oregon legislature wraps with unresolved questions

Lawmakers closed a $650 million gap and passed immigration limits as a gas tax vote faces a lawsuit.

Oregon lawmakers called it a wrap on their <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="short session" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/06/oregon-house-approves-365m-moda-center-renovation" data-vars-content-id="c2cc9c19-3eba-44c9-a5ec-8840351d1868" data-vars-headline="Oregon legislature wraps with unresolved questions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/03/06/oregon-house-approves-365m-moda-center-renovation" target="_self">short session</a> Friday, closing out a five-week sprint in Salem.Why it matters: Lawmakers moved to close a sizable budget gap and push back on federal immigration enforcement, though a major transportation funding vote remains unresolved.

Portland weighs overhaul of committee system

Leaders say reducing committees could shorten meetings and improve focus.

Portland City Council is considering cutting its <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="committee structure" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/12/17/city-council-year-two-portland" data-vars-content-id="632cc39d-b8ee-4028-a3c6-12f67e907a6f" data-vars-headline="Portland weighs overhaul of committee system" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/12/17/city-council-year-two-portland" target="_self">committee structure</a> from eight panels to five in an effort to streamline meetings and improve efficiency.Why it matters: The proposal from <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Council President Jamie Dunphy" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/01/14/city-council-dunphy-elected-president" data-vars-content-id="632cc39d-b8ee-4028-a3c6-12f67e907a6f" data-vars-headline="Portland weighs overhaul of committee system" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/01/14/city-council-dunphy-elected-president" target="_self">Council President Jamie Dunphy</a> aims to shorten lengthy meetings and sharpen the council&#x27;s focus as it continues to adapt to a new governing structure.

City Council elects Dunphy as president after bitter stalemate

Jamie Dunphy was chosen after the council sat at an impasse that spanned a week.

After more than a dozen rounds of deadlocked votes spanning the past week, the Portland City Council elected progressive Jamie Dunphy as its president Wednesday.Why it matters: The ideological split on the council — between the six-member progressive caucus, known as Peacock, and everyone else — had arguably never been more stark than during the electoral impasse. <ul><li>The division could be a harbinger for how the body decides on larger issues this year.</li></ul>

Kotek scraps Oregon transportation funding plan

She's proposing a new strategy to avoid ODOT layoffs and road maintenance delays.

In a stark reversal, Gov. Tina Kotek announced Wednesday that she intends to scrap the transportation funding bill <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="she fought to push through" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/08/28/oregon-special-session-transportation-funding" data-vars-content-id="16b97278-4c4f-45a4-b177-3c7aaf81f529" data-vars-headline="Kotek scraps Oregon transportation funding plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/08/28/oregon-special-session-transportation-funding" target="_self">she fought to push through</a> the Legislature in a special session last summer.The big picture: The move comes on the heels of a successful <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Republican-led effort" data-vars-click-url="https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/12/12/oregon-tax-opponents-plan-to-turn-in-nearly-200000-signatures-friday/" data-vars-content-id="16b97278-4c4f-45a4-b177-3c7aaf81f529" data-vars-headline="Kotek scraps Oregon transportation funding plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com/2025/12/12/oregon-tax-opponents-plan-to-turn-in-nearly-200000-signatures-friday/" target="_blank">Republican-led effort</a> to bring the issue — which included a slew of unpopular gas tax and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fee hikes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/09/08/oregon-payroll-tax-for-transit-set-to-double" data-vars-content-id="16b97278-4c4f-45a4-b177-3c7aaf81f529" data-vars-headline="Kotek scraps Oregon transportation funding plan" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/09/08/oregon-payroll-tax-for-transit-set-to-double" target="_self">fee hikes</a> — to voters.

Oregon lawmakers gear up for budget fixes, federal fights

The short session starts in February with housing, health care and immigrant protections in focus.

Oregon lawmakers are weeks away from this year&#x27;s short, month-long legislative session, which will focus on fine-tuning the state budget and tackling perennial priorities like transportation.The big picture: Portland-area state legislators told Axios they expect to spend much of the session crafting policies in response to President Trump&#x27;s actions as well — like countering federal funding cuts for critical programs and increased immigration enforcement.

Portland City Council looks to "hit its stride" in year two

Councilors say they hope growing pains are behind them as they push for more impact in 2026.

It&#x27;s been a bit of a mixed bag for Portland&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new form of city council" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/07/07/portland-city-council-reforms-budget" data-vars-content-id="385cf253-30b1-49b6-9dc1-7506e727bd13" data-vars-headline="Portland City Council looks to &quot;hit its stride&quot; in year two" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/07/07/portland-city-council-reforms-budget" target="_self">new form of city council</a> in its first year, but, despite some outside criticism, members of the city&#x27;s legislative body have high hopes for year two.The big picture: Voter-approved reform of Portland&#x27;s governing charter — creating districts, expanding the council, and separating executive and legislative powers — promised a more responsive, representative and transparent council.

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.

Trump administration appeals Portland Guard deployment ruling

Local leaders celebrated the judge's decision as the Trump administration sought to have it overturned by a higher court.

The Trump administration has appealed a federal judge&#x27;s ruling that granted a temporary restraining order blocking the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="deployment" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/27/trump-troops-portland-full-force" data-vars-content-id="b40ebcd0-3eaa-4f31-a29e-cd029bdbcdb0" data-vars-headline="Trump administration appeals Portland Guard deployment ruling" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/27/trump-troops-portland-full-force" target="_self">deployment</a> of National Guard troops to Portland.Why it matters: The appeal indicates the White House will continue its efforts to deploy soldiers on Portland&#x27;s streets, despite the judge&#x27;s ruling Saturday.

GOP budget plan could trigger sale of Oregon public lands

Popular Portland-area hiking and biking trails, as well as water recreation and camping spots, could be sold.

Nearly 22 million acres of federal public land in Oregon could be eligible for sale if Congress passes the Trump administration&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="budget bill" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/11/trump-budget-bill-lisa-mcclain-senate" data-vars-content-id="b367bafb-16d1-4f70-a99b-311a0b422bec" data-vars-headline="GOP budget plan could trigger sale of Oregon public lands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/06/11/trump-budget-bill-lisa-mcclain-senate" target="_self">budget bill</a>, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a new analysis" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wilderness.org/articles/media-resources/250-million-acres-public-lands-eligible-sale-senr-budget-reconciliation-package" data-vars-content-id="b367bafb-16d1-4f70-a99b-311a0b422bec" data-vars-headline="GOP budget plan could trigger sale of Oregon public lands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wilderness.org/articles/media-resources/250-million-acres-public-lands-eligible-sale-senr-budget-reconciliation-package" target="_blank">a new analysis</a> by a conservation nonprofit.Why it matters: This includes popular <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hiking" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/04/04/oregon-columbia-river-gorge-hike-wahclella-falls" data-vars-content-id="b367bafb-16d1-4f70-a99b-311a0b422bec" data-vars-headline="GOP budget plan could trigger sale of Oregon public lands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/04/04/oregon-columbia-river-gorge-hike-wahclella-falls" target="_self">hiking</a>, biking and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="camping areas" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/06/04/oregon-camping-solo-trend-outdoor-recreation" data-vars-content-id="b367bafb-16d1-4f70-a99b-311a0b422bec" data-vars-headline="GOP budget plan could trigger sale of Oregon public lands" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/06/04/oregon-camping-solo-trend-outdoor-recreation" target="_self">camping areas</a> near Portland, including Larch Mountain, Eagle Creek and parts of Mount Hood&#x27;s Timothy Lake, The Wilderness Society found.

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Politics 🇺🇸

Crowded GOP field targets Gov. Tina Kotek

How the I-5 bridge saga led to a $14B price tag

Oregon legislature wraps with unresolved questions

Oregon eliminates surprise bills for cervical cancer care

Portland weighs overhaul of committee system