SALEM, Ore. — Portland government agencies are pushing against a proposal to double Oregon’s lodging tax in preparation for the 2021 world track and field championships in Eugene.
The Register-Guard reports that Travel Portland, the city of Portland and Metro, the Portland area regional government, say they don’t oppose the $25 million state subsidy for the track event that the tax is tied to, but instead they worry the increase is too large.
The proposal would double the state lodging tax to 2 percent from 1 percent. The agencies say local lodging taxes already total 13.5 percent in Portland, the highest in the state.
Eugene-based TrackTown USA will host the championships in 2021 at Hayward Field. Because event expenses will outpace ticket sales and other revenue, TrackTown head Vin Lananna is seeking government subsidies, including from the proposed hotel tax increase.
