Portland Arts Tax Reform Proposal Gains Support from Cultural Leaders

Portland arts leaders rallied at a City Council meeting on Wednesday to support proposed reforms to the city's arts tax, which has remained flat since its inception in 2012. Portland Public Schools Superintendent Kimberlee Armstrong testified that students struggling in other settings come alive in arts programs. Edwina Kane of Portland Center Stage noted that smaller arts organizations face increasing challenges due to the flat tax. Beth Lewis of Portland Opera House warned of a funding crisis without reform, including indexing to inflation. The proposal would dedicate 95% of the tax revenue to K-12 students and underserved communities, while exempting over 40% of taxpayers. An audit released in March found the city failed to show how the tax improved arts education access and lacked goals or metrics. The city collects over $11 million annually from the tax. A KATU poll found 48% of respondents pay the tax but disagree with it.