Portland City Council has unanimously passed a new tax on heavy truck companies. It’s seen as a companion to the gas tax ballot measure that voters will decide next week.
The city is trying to pass a temporary, 10-cents-a-gallon gas tax in Tuesday's election.
Related: Poll: Portland's Gas Tax Ballot Measure Looks Likely To Pass
But opponents have pointed out that heavy trucks would effectively be exempt — because they could simply drive through town and fill up their tanks somewhere that didn't have the tax.
Backers say the new tax would make trucks pay their ‘fair share’ for road repairs.
Trucks already pay a weight-mile tax to the state. Portland will now add a 2.8 percent surcharge on top of that.
It’s expected to go into effect this September and generate about $2.5 million a year.
The money will go to for street repair and safety projects.