Portlanders narrowly approve gas tax

PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland voters approved a temporary 10-cent-a-gallon tax on gasoline, pumping a projected $64 million into road repairs and safety improvements.

The tax that won a narrow victory Tuesday takes effect later this year and will expire in late 2020.

Commissioner Steve Novick pushed for the proposal, saying the money was desperately needed to fix the city’s notoriously bad streets.

Opponents said the tax would drive business away from Portland gas stations. They also said money from a tax that’s paid by motorists should go entirely toward fixing streets.

Instead, more than 40 percent of the money will go toward safety projects for bicyclists and pedestrians.