Trending Now - Oregon's Gas Tax for Road Repairs Faces Voter Scrutiny Amid Price Hikes

WHO:

AP News - Oregon Democrats, Republican strategist Rebecca Tweed, GOP state Sen. Bruce Starr, Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek, Democratic state Rep. Paul Evans, Jeanine Holly, Michael Burch, Hannah Coe, Kurt Borneman.

WHAT:

AP News - A referendum on Oregon's primary ballot seeks to repeal a gas tax increase.

AP News - The gas tax would rise from 40 cents to 46 cents a gallon.

AP News - Republicans gathered 250,000 signatures to qualify the referendum, exceeding the required 78,000.

AP News - The price of gas topped $4.50 a gallon nationally and averaged about 80 cents more per gallon in Oregon.

WHERE:

AP News - The events are taking place in Oregon, specifically mentioned locations include Portland.

WHEN:

AP News - The gas tax repeal will be on the primary ballot on May 19.

WHY:

AP News - The gas tax increase was implemented to pay for road improvements and address a shortfall in the state’s transportation budget.

AP News - Democrats are appealing to voters' anxieties about the soaring cost of living amid disruptions in the oil industry due to the war with Iran.

AP News - Democrats blame the spike in gas prices on Trump’s decision to go to war with Iran.

HOW:

AP News - The gas tax increase was part of a broader legislative package that included higher payroll taxes for transit projects and increased vehicle registration and title fees.

(UPDATED May 10, 2026 17:14 UTC)

In Oregon, a referendum on the primary ballot aims to repeal a gas tax increase that would raise the tax from 40 cents to 46 cents a gallon, with the vote scheduled for May 19. Republicans successfully gathered 250,000 signatures to qualify the referendum, far surpassing the required 78,000, as gas prices have soared above $4.50 a gallon nationally and are about 80 cents higher in Oregon. The increase was originally implemented to fund road improvements and address a shortfall in the state’s transportation budget, but Democrats are now appealing to voters' concerns about the rising cost of living, linking the spike in gas prices to Trump's decision to go to war with Iran.