A recent Oregonian/OregonLive article focused on taxes being the “fastest growing” top concern among poll respondents. This story was unfortunately framed and lacked context that would have helped readers, (“These are the fastest growing concerns for Portland area voters, poll finds,” May 12).
The percent of people choosing taxes as their top problem did grow, from 3% in March 2025 to 11% in April 2026. However, far more people chose homelessness (33%) and an equal percentage (11%) chose the related issue of housing affordability. It also ranked well below poor leadership/government management (19%).
There was no meaningful change in Oregon’s tax policy between March 2025 and April 2026. What did change, however, is that the business community, certain political leaders and The Oregonian/OregonLive have chosen to relentlessly push the idea that Portland is over-taxed…