Portland's Clean Energy Surcharge Oversteps City's Taxing Authority
While the Clean Energy Surcharge has been around for several years, legal challenges to this tax have only recently ripened due to filing extensions and administrative appeals.
Whittling Oregon's Supermajority Requirement
In recent years, lawmakers and funding advocates have exploited workarounds to constitutional supermajority requirements on revenue-raising measures.
Unweirding Portland Part 2: Uniformity as a Remedy for Complexity
In an article published in Tax Notes State, Jeff Newgard and Nikki Dobay discuss the challenges taxpayers face navigating Portland's unusual local income taxes.
Multnomah County Could Become the Only Jurisdiction in the World to Impose Two Capital Gains Taxes
If voters approve the latest Multnomah County tax proposal, the county could become the only jurisdiction in the world levying two capital gains taxes.
Despite Economy, Voters Approve Funding Measures
70 percent of local funding measures were approved by voters, suggesting that Oregonians remain willing to open their pocketbooks for services within their communities.
Oregon Democrats Hold Their Majorities, But Not Without Losses
Breaking through the supermajority ends the political threat of tax rate increases, but it does not end the threat of tax policy changes intent on raising revenue.
Oregon Considers Controversial Tax Rules for Internet Sellers
The policy relies on an impractical notion that a functional website should make a business taxable anywhere.
Oregon’s “Progressive” Income Tax is Among the Country’s Flattest
If Oregon wants to compete with other states and lure people and jobs, reducing the burdens on everyday Oregonians would be a helpful starting point.
Latest
May
16
Deadlines, Detours, and Directionless Drift
With six weeks remaining in the 2025 session, lawmakers are starting to race against the clock, but the final destination is anyone’s guess.
3 min read
May
14
Oregon Revenue Forecast Trims Expectations, But Resources Remain at Historic Highs
Economists warn of slower growth and lower tax collections, but state lawmakers will craft their next budget with record-setting resources.
3 min read
May
09
The Wait is Almost Over
The final chapter of the legislative session begins next week.
3 min read
Apr
18
Oregon’s Self-Inflicted Uncertainty
As global trade tensions rise and markets reel, Oregon lawmakers are doing little to ease the strain — and much to fuel the fire.
3 min read
Mar
28
Spring Break? Not at the Capitol
Sun, rest, and... 84 work sessions in a single committee? While most of Oregon unplugged, the legislature barrels through its first major deadline.
4 min read
Mar
21
At Legislature’s First Deadline, Still No Dominant Theme
Oregon lawmakers are working through their first major deadline. Yet the session remains defined more by motion than direction.
4 min read
Feb
21
A Quiet Shift in Oregon’s Tax Politics
If Oregon’s rules around raising revenue gradually weaken, the political barriers to increasing taxes will also erode.
5 min read
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