OPB’s First Look: Gas tax goes to court

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Good morning, Northwest.

A judge will decide this week whether to block Oregon lawmakers from moving the date of a vote on transportation tax and fee increases from November to May.

OPB’s Dirk VanderHart has been covering the issue. He starts today’s newsletter with a look at the constitutional and policial implications of the case.

In other news, two unions at Oregon’s largest institution of higher education, Portland Community College, will go on strike today.

Here’s your First Look at Wednesday’s news.

—Bradley W. Parks

Marion County judge to rule this week on Oregon gas tax vote change

A Marion County judge will decide this week whether to block state lawmakers from changing the date of a referendum on transportation tax and fee increases — a move opponents say is a heavy-handed attempt to alter the will of voters.

But as he heard arguments yesterday, Marion County Senior Judge David Leith acknowledged a higher court would almost certainly have the final say on appeal.

“I understand I’m not the last word here,” Leith said at the tail end of an hour-long hearing. “Whatever happens is probably going to need to go somewhere else.”

The lawsuit, filed last week, will help determine whether Oregon voters decide in May or November whether to approve a six-cent increase to the state’s gas tax, steep increases to vehicle registration and titling fees, and a temporary doubling of a payroll tax that funds public transit. (Dirk VanderHart)

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3 things to know this morning

• After 11 months of failed contract negotiations, hundreds of faculty and classified staff at Portland Community College say they are ready to walk out this morning. (Tiffany Camhi)
• William Bailey, once a rising star in the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, was fired last week over comments made on a local radio show. (Jen Baires)
• The Food and Drug Administration is recalling some oysters and clams recently harvested in Washington because they may be contaminated with norovirus. (Adia White)

Headlines from around the Northwest

• Oregon’s newest fire district seeks funding for its first fire station (Rebecca Hansen-White)
• Major snow dump buoys Northwest skiers, can’t undo snow drought (John Ryan)
• Nannies, housekeepers and other domestic workers to gain state protections in Washington (Aspen Ford)
• A marmot puppet is the star of Washington’s new anti-littering campaign (Courtney Flatt)
• Oregon State falls short in a back-and-forth WCC women’s final to Gonzaga 76-66 (Associated Press)
• Maryland rides big first half to 70-60 win over Oregon to open Big Ten Tournament (Associated Press)
• Montana eliminates Portland State in Big Sky Conference Tournament with 75-72 win (Associated Press)
• Hornets rally for 103-101 victory over the Trail Blazers (Associated Press)

Listen in on OPB’s daily conversation

“Think Out Loud” airs at noon and 8 p.m. weekdays on OPB Radio, opb.org and the OPB News app. Today’s planned topics (subject to change):

• Washington County Sheriff’s Office tests using drones for first responder emergencies
• All-ages concert venue opens in North Portland

Remembering the joy and heart of jazz singer Rebecca Kilgore

People who saw Rebecca Kilgore sing said she had one of the sweetest voices they’d ever heard.

“I like to impart some joy and energy to my audience,” she told OPB during an interview in 2009.

Kilgore was known for her interpretations of the Great American Songbook, interpreting songs from the ‘30s and ’40s in jazz clubs all around Portland. She worked with many well-known musicians throughout the Northwest, including her long-time musical collaboration with jazz pianist and composer Dave Frishberg.

Rebecca Kilgore died on Jan. 7, 2026, at age 76. This story originally aired Nov. 11, 2009. (KC Cowan)

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