Oregon voters overwhelmingly rejected a hike in gas taxes and other vehicle fees to fund transportation in yesterday's primary election, according to the Associated Press.

Why it matters: State lawmakers have to go back to the drawing board on how to pay for road maintenance and transportation projects. In the meantime, our roads may only get worse.

By the numbers: Opposition to Measure 120 was leading with 83% of the vote as of early this morning, per AP.

• All of Oregon's 36 counties appeared to have outright rejected the proposal.

Catch up quick: The measure would've hiked the state's gas tax from $0.40 to $0.46, imposed a per-mile or flat fee on electric vehicles and raised both registration and title fees on passenger vehicles.

• All of that was intended to close a roughly $350 million gap in the Department of Transportation's budget.
• Democratic lawmakers in Salem passed a fix for the deficit in a special session last fall.

Yes, but: In Oregon, voters can reject bills passed in the Legislature through a referendum.

• Republican opponents of the bill gathered roughly 200,000 signatures earlier this year to get the question on the May primary ballot.
• Meanwhile, proponents of the bill asked voters to approve the gas tax hike even though some residents are cutting back on travel or canceling trips altogether due to spiking fuel prices.

😵‍💫 The average price of a gallon of regular unleaded in Oregon was $5.34 this week — $0.80 cents higher than the national average and $1.39 more than the state average a year ago, per AAA.

Tell a neighbor

State Sen. Christine Drazan is Oregon's Republican nominee for governor, capturing 43% of the vote in yesterday's primary election, according to the Associated Press.

The big picture: Drazan beat out a crowded field of candidates — including ex-Blazer Chris Dudley, state Rep. Ed Diehl and Marion County commissioner Danielle Bethell — to set up a rematch with Gov. Kotek in November.

• Drazan lost to Kotek by just 3.5 percentage points in a crowded three-way race in 2022.

What they're saying: "This can be the best state in the nation to start a business. This can be the best state in the nation for our kids to get an education," Drazan said shortly after the race was called, per OPB. "But only with new leadership."

The big picture: Drazan still faces an uphill battle in blue Oregon.

• The state GOP hasn't occupied the governor's mansion since Victor G. Atiyeh's tenure ended in 1987 and it doesn't control a single statewide office.

Here's where other races stand as of last night, according to the Secretary of State's office.

• Candidates must win more than 50% of the vote to avoid a November runoff.

Senate District 15

State Sen. Janeen Sollman is narrowly leading labor-backed Myrna Muñoz 50% to 48% in the hotly contested Hillsboro-Forest Grove race.

House District 38

Rep. Daniel Nguyen is leading progressive challenger and middle school teacher John "Waz" Wasielewski 76% to 24% to keep his seat representing Southwest Portland and Lake Oswego.

Metro Council President

Juan Carlos González led a field of four other candidates with roughly 72% of the vote to replace Lynn Peterson.

Circuit Court Judge, 4th District

Position 12

Embattled incumbent Adrian Brown appears poised to lose her seat to last-minute challenger Peter Klym, who has secured 70% of the vote so far.

More judges

🕳️ Between 50 and 100 water meter covers have been stolen from streets and sidewalks in Portland's Sellwood neighborhood, leaving holes in the ground that could be hazardous to pedestrians and drivers. (KOIN)

🏀 The Blazers laid off staff from the business side of the organization yesterday as the new owners aim to "restructure several areas of the business."

• The specific number of people impacted was not released. (Portland Business Journal)

💰 City councilors clashed over budgetary priorities in the first meeting discussing how to close a $160 million budget gap while maintaining vital public safety programs. (Portland Mercury)

Portland ranks as No. 2 in the nation for spending on pets, per a new analysis of banking data.

Driving the news: Spending on pet store purchases, pet insurance and vet visits was more than 10% higher than the national average for the first four months of 2026, per Bank of America card data.

• Seattle topped the list, with spending 23% higher than the U.S. average.
• Send thoughts and prayers to the furry friends of Orlando, where pet owners dished out more than 10% below the national average.

The bottom line: Pets can be expensive endeavors, but it's hard to put a price on companionship.

One of Amtrak's new Airo trainsets — set for service to Portland later this year — arrived at Seattle's King Street Station over the weekend.

Why it matters: The trains, which will debut on the Amtrak Cascades line, can travel at speeds of up to 125 miles per hour.

• They are billed as having higher fuel-efficiency and more modern interiors, among other upgrades.

What's next: The trains are now in their final stage of testing and route training on Pacific Northwest tracks, the final step before they enter service, according to Amtrack.