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
Nov
07
Oregon’s Political Preseason
Oregon’s political preseason shows voters haven’t fired the coach — they’re just watching the front office more closely.
3 min read
Oct
03
Funding Fights & Leadership Shifts
Lawmakers pass partisan transportation funding package and begin discussions on the impacts of President Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill."
3 min read
Aug
29
Transportation Package, Redux, and Revenue Forecast
Oregon lawmakers receive the latest revenue forecast and convene for uncertain special session on transportation funding.
5 min read
Jun
28
Oregon Legislative Session Ends in Disarray
Oregon’s long session ended without its marquee achievement, as lawmakers failed to deliver a transportation package and left key issues unsettled.
6 min read
Jun
23
Transportation Plan Roils Final Week of Oregon Session
With just days remaining in the 2025 legislative session, Oregon lawmakers are grappling with internal party divisions over a $15.5 billion transportation funding plan.
3 min read
Jun
13
Running on Fumes
With just two weeks remaining, Oregon’s legislature is compressing months of work into days. The result is a volatile and unpredictable endgame where the biggest proposals often surface with the smallest amount of notice.
4 min read
May
31
Speed Over Substance: When the Capitol Runs Out of Road
With sine die declared imminent, the Capitol enters its most volatile and least transparent phase.
3 min read
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