Login Subscribe
Peak Policy
A reliable guide to Oregon tax politics, policy, and controversy.
Learn More →

Featured articles

Portland's Clean Energy Surcharge Oversteps City's Taxing Authority

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jun
28
Oregon Legislative Session Ends in Disarray

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

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

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

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
May
16
Deadlines, Detours, and Directionless Drift

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

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 Wait is Almost Over

The final chapter of the legislative session begins next week.
3 min read
Enter your email
Subscribe
No spam. Weekly during legislative sessions. Unsubscribe any time.