Oregon Voters Reject Gasoline Tax Increase as Pump Prices Soar

Oregon voters repealed a 6-cent per gallon fuel tax increase enacted last year to shore up the state’s transportation budget, throwing long-term funding into uncertainty.

About 83% of voters rejected the tax increase, which was passed by the Democrat-controlled legislature in a special session last September, according to AP results of Tuesday’s primary. Had it passed, the gasoline levy would have climbed to 46 cents a gallon.

The voter referendum also turned away a higher payroll tax for transit projects, and significant increases in vehicle registration and title fees authorized in the transportation law (HB 3991).

The ...