Portland area voters generous with their tax dollars during May primary election

Jim Redden
·2 min read

PORTLAND, Ore. (PORTLAND TRIBUNE) — Portland area voters were surprisingly generous with the tax dollars at the May 21 primary election.

Money measures were passing throughout the metropolitan region in early unofficial results, some by large margins. They include continued or new property tax dollars for the Oregon Zoo, Portland Public Schools, the Portland Bureau of Transportation, flood protection along the Columbia River, and several public safety and park agencies.

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Some political observers had predicted voters would be reluctant to approve tax measures because several recent surveys found deep dissatisfaction with their elected officials and the direction of their communities. Instead, just the opposite appears to have happened.

Votes will continue to be tallied and released in coming days. Ballots postmarked by 8 p.m. on May 21 will be counted if received at elections offices within seven days. Those leading the day after the election include:

  • Metro voters were passing the elected regional government’s $380 million bond measure to enhance the Oregon Zoo by 55% to 45%. Measure 26-244 is intended to improve animal facilities and visitor access.

  • The Urban Flood Safety and Water Quality District bond measure was ahead 65% to 35%. It is intended to raise $150 million to match $100 million in federal funds to upgrade levees, pump station, and other infrastructure along the Oregon side of the Columbia River. Much of the safety system has not been improved since the 1948 flood that destroyed the former city of Vanport.

  • Portland Public Schools voters were passing the district’s five-year local option levy by 71% to 29%. Measure 26-246 is intended to raise $532.3 million to preserve around 650 teaching and support jobs.

  • Portland voters were renewing the city’s 10-cent a gallon gas tax by 71% to 29%. Measure 26-245 will continue the Fixing Our Streets tax first approved by voters in 2016 and renewed in 2020. Over the past eight years, it has generated around $150 million which has been used to repave 80 lane miles of streets, fill over 40,000 potholes, and complete over 200 safety improvements.

  • Gresham voters were approving a five-year Safety Levy by 57% to 43%. Measure 26-247 will provide additional funds to Gresham Police Department and Gresham Fire & Emergency Services.

Read more at PortlandTribune.com.

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