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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.

Portland Pastry 10K is all about fostering connection

Things to Do

One Portlander is turning eating <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pastries" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/03/26/women-pastry-chefs-bakers-awards-recognition" data-vars-content-id="c4d26983-b477-4df8-a690-6980c1cc5e5b" data-vars-headline="Portland Pastry 10K is all about fostering connection" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/03/26/women-pastry-chefs-bakers-awards-recognition" target="_self">pastries</a> into a collective endurance sport.The big picture: The sold-out Portland Pastry 10K Walk will send 100 people on a 6.8-mile route through Northeast next month, with stops for coffee, croissants, tiramisu and even lasagna along the way.

Mono Space wants to redefine how you hear music

The Pearl District listening gallery treats music as art.

Music

On a recent Friday night, roughly 50 strangers were sprawled out in front of three massive, 4-foot-tall Baltic birch wood speakers listening to Kate Bush&#x27;s 1985 album &quot;Hounds of Love.&quot;<ul><li>Some lay atop bean bag chairs, others crunched together on Togo sofas. Some cupping their hands behind their ears to intensify the sound, others with their eyes closed.</li></ul>The place is Mono Space — a high-fidelity &quot;listening gallery&quot; in the heart of Portland&#x27;s Pearl District that opened just last year, where phones are put away, shoes are kicked off and the sole focus is the music.

Top 9 Portland events to catch this May

Warmer weather and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="later sunsets" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/04/17/portland-s-8-p-m-sunset-season-starts-tomorrow" data-vars-content-id="1ff1e35f-433d-4bda-8be6-eb16f9910d24" data-vars-headline="Top 9 Portland events to catch this May" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/04/17/portland-s-8-p-m-sunset-season-starts-tomorrow" target="_self">later sunsets</a> mean friends and family are more willing to make plans past 6pm these days. So take advantage of all that May has to offer — festivals, live music, art shows and plenty of reasons to leave the house — with these nine can&#x27;t-miss events.

Oregon Outside: Gorge wildflowers nearing peak bloom

Wildflowers are at or near peak bloom in many parts of the Columbia River Gorge.

The time to seek out one of nature&#x27;s most beautiful displays is here — spring <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wildflower season" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/04/24/wildflowers-hikes-oregon-washington-pacific-northwest" data-vars-content-id="f23320c9-f1ac-405b-90ad-75d6d99cae95" data-vars-headline="Oregon Outside: Gorge wildflowers nearing peak bloom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/04/24/wildflowers-hikes-oregon-washington-pacific-northwest" target="_self">wildflower season</a> is at or near peak bloom in many parts of the Columbia River Gorge.Why it matters: This ephemeral explosion of color doesn&#x27;t last long.

What to do in Portland in April

April packs a little bit of everything in Portland — big crowds, colorful blooms and plenty of ways to get out and enjoy what the start of spring has to offer.Here are some of the things we&#x27;re most looking forward to.

Hockney exhibition explores decades-long career

The exhibition features more than 200 works spanning six decades.

Portlanders don&#x27;t have to fly to New York, London or Los Angeles to immerse themselves in David Hockney&#x27;s vibrant world of poolside turquoise blues, explosive fuchsia skies and electric green landscapes.The big picture: A sweeping, six-decade exhibition featuring more than 200 works by Hockney is on view at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the newly renovated Portland Art Museum" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/11/14/art-museum-reopens-expansion-rothko-galleries" data-vars-content-id="edb981a4-cffb-45eb-8212-7665c2c7786e" data-vars-headline="Hockney exhibition explores decades-long career" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/11/14/art-museum-reopens-expansion-rothko-galleries" target="_self">the newly renovated Portland Art Museum</a> and explores how he embraced reinvention throughout his career.

Oregon summer plans start now as permits book fast

Camping and hiking permits for Oregon's most popular spots sell out months ahead.

It&#x27;s not summer yet, despite what the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="weather" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2026/01/20/oregon-warm-winter-snowpack-risk" data-vars-content-id="bff263a5-a2c9-4cac-abce-089b919e9d40" data-vars-headline="Oregon summer plans start now as permits book fast" 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">weather</a> tells you, but it&#x27;s never too early to start planning for the warmer months.Why it matters: Many of Oregon&#x27;s most sought-after campsites and trail permits book out months in advance.

Things to do in Portland this February

Festivals, comedy shows and big concerts fill the calendar this February.

It&#x27;s a short month, but the list of fun things to do around town is long.<ul><li>Here are a few we&#x27;re most looking forward to.</li></ul>

Jump straight into the Columbia from this new Portland sauna

Ebb and Ember offers a riverside sauna and plunge experience with Mount Hood views.

It&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="170 degrees inside" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/12/03/portland-winter-saunas-spas" data-vars-content-id="a02cd24e-96e9-4daf-b398-4417039b3171" data-vars-headline="Jump straight into the Columbia from this new Portland sauna" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/12/03/portland-winter-saunas-spas" target="_self">170 degrees inside</a>. Outside, it&#x27;s the Columbia River in January. <ul><li>Handling the heat isn&#x27;t the hard part, it&#x27;s deciding whether or not to jump in the bone-chilling water.</li></ul>The big picture: Portland&#x27;s first Norwegian-inspired floating sauna and cold plunge destination, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Ebb and Ember" data-vars-click-url="https://www.ebbandember.com/" data-vars-content-id="a02cd24e-96e9-4daf-b398-4417039b3171" data-vars-headline="Jump straight into the Columbia from this new Portland sauna" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.ebbandember.com/" target="_blank">Ebb and Ember</a>, opened earlier this month — offering panoramic views of Mount Hood and a deeply restorative self-care experience year round.

Inside the Slammer Tavern's chaotic holiday glow

The Slammer Tavern puts the pedal to the metal during the holiday season, though.

<figure><img alt="Corner view of a red and blue building with a large sign reading &quot;The Slammer Tavern Cocktails Food.&quot; Holiday decorations include a wreath and snowflake on upper windows." height="5712" id="cb955626-f573-43a7-90cc-64fcaad647ab" src="https://images.axios.com/VURKmQ3Opk2GohH5nP3G9DAGNF4=/2025/12/11/1765486863762.jpeg" width="3213"/><figcaption>The Slammer Tavern is festive year-round. Photo: Meira Gebel/Axios</figcaption></figure>It&#x27;s 8pm and standing-room only on a recent Saturday at Central Eastside <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dive bar" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/04/11/portland-bars-chef-driven-menus" data-vars-content-id="20e2535d-3266-475a-b2b7-d01d51c126d9" data-vars-headline="Inside the Slammer Tavern&#x27;s chaotic holiday glow" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/04/11/portland-bars-chef-driven-menus" target="_self">dive bar</a> the Slammer Tavern.<ul><li>&quot;Cough Syrup&quot; by Young the Giant plays on the TouchTunes jukebox in the back, barely audible, while a group of Santa hat-clad twentysomethings walk in and immediately order Jell-O shots.</li></ul>

Things to Do 🗓

Stifel Stars on Ice brings Olympic talent to Portland

Portland Pastry 10K is all about fostering connection

Mono Space wants to redefine how you hear music

Top 9 Portland events to catch this May

Oregon Outside: Gorge wildflowers nearing peak bloom