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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.

TriMet to cut service 10% amid budget shortfall

Service cuts start in November as TriMet faces massive budget hole.

TriMet, Oregon&#x27;s largest transit provider, recently announced it plans to slash at least 10% of its bus and MAX services over the next two years after lawmakers <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="failed to pass" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/06/29/oregon-legislature-transportation-funding" data-vars-content-id="a1912591-0447-4d52-abf4-93d1957efb6e" data-vars-headline="TriMet to cut service 10% amid budget shortfall" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2025/06/29/oregon-legislature-transportation-funding" target="_self">failed to pass</a> a key transportation funding package last month. Why it matters: Starting in November, the agency will reduce how often some buses and trains run, and it will eventually eliminate some lines entirely, which could result in longer wait times and fewer options for passengers.

Year in reflection: Ice storm impacts linger

Axios spoke with Street Trust's Sarah Iannarone on how to move forward.

Climate

At the start of the year, a series of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="extreme winter weather systems" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/01/17/photos-cold-weather-us-winter-storm" data-vars-content-id="976ea00d-53ca-444c-a911-086da65e3918" data-vars-headline="Year in reflection: Ice storm impacts linger" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/01/17/photos-cold-weather-us-winter-storm" target="_self">extreme winter weather systems</a> pummeled Portland and ice rained down from the skies.The big picture: The impact of that event — when <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hundreds lost power" data-vars-click-url="https://www.opb.org/article/2024/01/17/oregon-ice-snow-storm-slow-recovery/" data-vars-content-id="976ea00d-53ca-444c-a911-086da65e3918" data-vars-headline="Year in reflection: Ice storm impacts linger" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.opb.org/article/2024/01/17/oregon-ice-snow-storm-slow-recovery/" target="_blank">hundreds lost power</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="were trapped in their homes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wweek.com/news/environment/2024/01/17/portland-remains-encased-in-ice-as-temperatures-rise-slowly/" data-vars-content-id="976ea00d-53ca-444c-a911-086da65e3918" data-vars-headline="Year in reflection: Ice storm impacts linger" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wweek.com/news/environment/2024/01/17/portland-remains-encased-in-ice-as-temperatures-rise-slowly/" target="_blank">were trapped in their homes</a>, businesses <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="were forced to close" data-vars-click-url="https://pdx.eater.com/2024/2/15/24074211/portland-restaurants-winter-storm-2024-financial-relief" data-vars-content-id="976ea00d-53ca-444c-a911-086da65e3918" data-vars-headline="Year in reflection: Ice storm impacts linger" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://pdx.eater.com/2024/2/15/24074211/portland-restaurants-winter-storm-2024-financial-relief" target="_blank">were forced to close</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="potholes plagued the streets" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/02/27/potholes-roads-winter-weather" data-vars-content-id="976ea00d-53ca-444c-a911-086da65e3918" data-vars-headline="Year in reflection: Ice storm impacts linger" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/02/27/potholes-roads-winter-weather" target="_self">potholes plagued the streets</a> — has raised questions about how the city will respond to future natural disasters.

Portland's traffic ranks 7th worst in U.S.

Tolling for the proposed replacement bridge could make congestion worse.

Portland-area drivers are more likely to get stuck in traffic than those in nearly any other city in the U.S., according to a new analysis.Why it matters: Understanding which cities have the worst congestion can help people make decisions about where to work, when to work and run errands, or even when it&#x27;s time to move, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Consumer Affairs" data-vars-click-url="https://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/cities-with-the-worst-traffic.html" data-vars-content-id="a7560e07-f724-403a-81b6-24efa10dfd93" data-vars-headline="Portland&#x27;s traffic ranks 7th worst in U.S." data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/cities-with-the-worst-traffic.html" target="_blank">Consumer Affairs</a> researchers found.

What's going on with the Hawthorne Bridge's many closures

The $9.5 million upgrade is for repaving the deck's concrete and replacing joints.

Transit

Travelers may have noticed the Hawthorne Bridge — Oregon&#x27;s busiest bicycle and transit crossing, as well as the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="oldest operating vertical lift bridge" data-vars-click-url="https://www.multco.us/bridges/hawthorne-bridge" data-vars-content-id="eb984f50-0d4c-42c0-9f5b-98f19eead32c" data-vars-headline="What&#x27;s going on with the Hawthorne Bridge&#x27;s many closures" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.multco.us/bridges/hawthorne-bridge" target="_blank">oldest operating vertical lift bridge</a> in the U.S. — has been closed a lot recently as it undergoes repairs and maintenance. The latest: This summer, Multnomah County, which manages five of the Willamette River&#x27;s bridges, hired a contractor to repave the deteriorated deck&#x27;s concrete and replace deck joints for both the east and west sides of the bridge, according to spokesperson Sarah Hurwitz.

Train travel rebounds across Oregon

Rail travel is still a small share of transportation compared with air travel.

All aboard! Train travel in the Pacific Northwest is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="roaring back" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/05/07/american-rail-brightline-trains-amtrak" data-vars-content-id="258a668f-5728-4bf9-b903-28d09a49f5ee" data-vars-headline="Train travel rebounds across Oregon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/05/07/american-rail-brightline-trains-amtrak" target="_self">roaring back</a>, with Amtrak Cascades trains seeing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a 75% jump" data-vars-click-url="https://wsdot.wa.gov/about/data/gray-notebook/gnbhome/mobility/rail/ridership.htm" data-vars-content-id="258a668f-5728-4bf9-b903-28d09a49f5ee" data-vars-headline="Train travel rebounds across Oregon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://wsdot.wa.gov/about/data/gray-notebook/gnbhome/mobility/rail/ridership.htm" target="_blank">a 75% jump</a> in ridership last year.Why it matters: Ridership fell hard during the pandemic. But it&#x27;s coming back strong — as people choose trains for the views, the fares and the sustainability, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Axios Finish Line reports" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-finish-line-ed4ea110-535a-11ef-8d20-93561246b4a8" data-vars-content-id="258a668f-5728-4bf9-b903-28d09a49f5ee" data-vars-headline="Train travel rebounds across Oregon" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-finish-line-ed4ea110-535a-11ef-8d20-93561246b4a8" target="_self">Axios Finish Line reports</a>.

PDX's on-time departure scorecard

More than 85% of flights out of Portland International Airport left on time last year.

Travel

Despite the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ongoing renovation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/04/08/portland-new-pdx-terminal-delayed-august" data-vars-content-id="b907df54-3ee1-4913-84ed-e0af9f6030dd" data-vars-headline="PDX&#x27;s on-time departure scorecard" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2024/04/08/portland-new-pdx-terminal-delayed-august" target="_self">ongoing renovation</a>, Portland International Airport had an above-average on-time performance last year compared to other large U.S. airports, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics.By the numbers: PDX ranks fifth out of 104 large U.S. airports for annual on-time departures in 2023, according to the latest <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="latest data" data-vars-click-url="https://www.transtats.bts.gov/homepage.asp" data-vars-content-id="b907df54-3ee1-4913-84ed-e0af9f6030dd" data-vars-headline="PDX&#x27;s on-time departure scorecard" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.transtats.bts.gov/homepage.asp" target="_blank">latest data</a>.

Portland ranks high on green transit scorecard

Portland plans to become a net-zero-emission city by 2050.

Portland is one of the top metro areas in the country — behind <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Seattle" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/04/09/seattle-cities-transportation-climate-impact" data-vars-content-id="b626f751-68d0-4859-a125-589071f152ef" data-vars-headline="Portland ranks high on green transit scorecard" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2024/04/09/seattle-cities-transportation-climate-impact" target="_self">Seattle</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="San Francisco" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2024/04/08/sf-bay-area-clean-transit-score" data-vars-content-id="b626f751-68d0-4859-a125-589071f152ef" data-vars-headline="Portland ranks high on green transit scorecard" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2024/04/08/sf-bay-area-clean-transit-score" target="_self">San Francisco</a> and New York — in limiting the impact of local <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="transportation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/05/24/portland-residents-without-vehicle-transportation-healthcare" data-vars-content-id="b626f751-68d0-4859-a125-589071f152ef" data-vars-headline="Portland ranks high on green transit scorecard" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/05/24/portland-residents-without-vehicle-transportation-healthcare" target="_self">transportation</a> when it comes to greenhouse gases, according to a recent report.Why it matters: Transportation is the biggest driver of greenhouse gas emissions in the nation and accounts for 40% of such emissions in Portland, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="city estimates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.portland.gov/transportation/planning/zero-emission-delivery/zero-emission-delivery-zone#:~:text=In%202020%2C%20Portland%20City%20Council,emissions%20in%20the%20Portland%20area." data-vars-content-id="b626f751-68d0-4859-a125-589071f152ef" data-vars-headline="Portland ranks high on green transit scorecard" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.portland.gov/transportation/planning/zero-emission-delivery/zero-emission-delivery-zone#:~:text=In%202020%2C%20Portland%20City%20Council,emissions%20in%20the%20Portland%20area." target="_blank">city estimates</a>.

Potholes plague Portland streets post-winter storm

It costs an average of $300 to fill a single pothole, according to Portland's Bureau of Transportation.

Hundreds of new potholes have opened up on Portland roadways as the city grapples with the continuing fallout from last month&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="winter storm" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/01/17/photos-cold-weather-us-winter-storm" data-vars-content-id="517d856d-72e5-4ce5-bb14-44acc11e0ce4" data-vars-headline="Potholes plague Portland streets post-winter storm" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/01/17/photos-cold-weather-us-winter-storm" target="_self">winter storm</a>.Why it matters: Potholes plague every corner of the city — they&#x27;re eyesores, can cause significant damage to vehicles and pose danger to pedestrians, and cost Portland thousands of dollars to fix annually.

Bike ridership is rebounding in Portland

Commuting is growing again, with an assist from e-bikes.

Portland&#x27;s bicycle <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ridership" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/10/20/portland-biking-rates-america" data-vars-content-id="2ff954d4-cc08-4e57-b69d-4404bfeb397f" data-vars-headline="Bike ridership is rebounding 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/2023/10/20/portland-biking-rates-america" target="_self">ridership</a> rose 5% from 2022 to 2023, according to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="initial data" data-vars-click-url="https://www.portland.gov/transportation/bicycle-committee/documents/presentation-preview-2023-bicycle-count-report/download" data-vars-content-id="2ff954d4-cc08-4e57-b69d-4404bfeb397f" data-vars-headline="Bike ridership is rebounding in Portland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.portland.gov/transportation/bicycle-committee/documents/presentation-preview-2023-bicycle-count-report/download" target="_blank">initial data</a> from the Portland Bureau of Transportation.Why it matters: When ridership <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="dropped 45%" data-vars-click-url="https://bikeportland.org/2023/03/15/city-counts-reveal-data-behind-portlands-precipitous-drop-in-cycling-371407" data-vars-content-id="2ff954d4-cc08-4e57-b69d-4404bfeb397f" data-vars-headline="Bike ridership is rebounding in Portland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://bikeportland.org/2023/03/15/city-counts-reveal-data-behind-portlands-precipitous-drop-in-cycling-371407" target="_blank">dropped 45%</a> between 2014 and 2022, Portland&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bike-friendly image" data-vars-click-url="https://www.travelportland.com/culture/biking/#:~:text=With%20miles%20of%20protected%20bike,Portland%20is%20any%20bicyclist&#x27;s%20dream." data-vars-content-id="2ff954d4-cc08-4e57-b69d-4404bfeb397f" data-vars-headline="Bike ridership is rebounding in Portland" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.travelportland.com/culture/biking/#:~:text=With%20miles%20of%20protected%20bike,Portland%20is%20any%20bicyclist&#x27;s%20dream." target="_blank">bike-friendly image</a> took a hit, but things are looking up again. The new data suggests the end of a downward trend.

Airline workers picket outside PDX for better pay

More than 300 flight attendants, pilots and other airline workers picketed outside <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Portland International Airport" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/05/05/whats-next-portland-international-airport-renovation" data-vars-content-id="a8419578-c556-44c8-abd3-36febf72bcbb" data-vars-headline="Airline workers picket outside PDX for better pay" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/portland/2023/05/05/whats-next-portland-international-airport-renovation" target="_self">Portland International Airport</a> Tuesday as part of a nationwide demonstration over <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pay and working conditions" data-vars-click-url="https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/with-some-flight-attendants-on-welfare-alaska-airlines-faces-contract-fight/" data-vars-content-id="a8419578-c556-44c8-abd3-36febf72bcbb" data-vars-headline="Airline workers picket outside PDX for better pay" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/with-some-flight-attendants-on-welfare-alaska-airlines-faces-contract-fight/" target="_blank">pay and working conditions</a> amid <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ongoing contract negotiations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.forbes.com/sites/tedreed/2023/11/30/after-lost-year-for-contracts-american-and-united-flight-attendants-look-to-2024/?sh=4beeb3055a3d" data-vars-content-id="a8419578-c556-44c8-abd3-36febf72bcbb" data-vars-headline="Airline workers picket outside PDX for better pay" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/tedreed/2023/11/30/after-lost-year-for-contracts-american-and-united-flight-attendants-look-to-2024/?sh=4beeb3055a3d" target="_blank">ongoing contract negotiations</a>.The big picture: Multiple <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="unions" data-vars-click-url="https://unitedafa.org/" data-vars-content-id="a8419578-c556-44c8-abd3-36febf72bcbb" data-vars-headline="Airline workers picket outside PDX for better pay" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://unitedafa.org/" target="_blank">unions</a> representing 100,000 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="flight attendants" data-vars-click-url="https://www.apfa.org/" data-vars-content-id="a8419578-c556-44c8-abd3-36febf72bcbb" data-vars-headline="Airline workers picket outside PDX for better pay" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.apfa.org/" target="_blank">flight attendants</a> for Alaska, United, American, Southwest and other airlines picketed outside 30 airports nationwide.

💨 Faster fleet coming

Portland swaps in zippier Biketown fleet for 10-year anniversary

💸 Chunks outta your paycheck

Oregon payroll tax for transit set to double

Axios Seattle

High-speed rail plans inch forward in the Pacific Northwest

Seattle

🛄 Air travel is busier than ever

Air travel is busier than ever

Line chart showing TSA checkpoint passenger volumes. Each line shows a 7-day average for an individual year from 2020 to 2024. 2024 shows the highest passenger volumes for a Thanksgiving travel since before 2020.

Transit 🚗

Portland swaps in zippier Biketown fleet for 10-year anniversary

Oregon payroll tax for transit set to double

TriMet to cut service 10% amid budget shortfall

High-speed rail plans inch forward in the Pacific Northwest

Air travel is busier than ever