City Cast Portland
A fight over Portland’s environmental tax
April 14, 2025 · — Rachel Monahan
Good morning, Portland! As you may have noticed, we’re incredibly excited to celebrate Portland on 503 Day, the totally real holiday that the city of Portland will make official this year.
On May 3 (5/03 — chosen for our area code), we’ll be having a block party with live performances, including Karaoke From Hell and a costume contest for the most iconic Portland icon. Come join us!
What's CITY Talking About?
Oregon Kept People on Medicaid
During the pandemic, the federal government allowed Medicaid benefits to stay in place, so that people wouldn’t lose health insurance during the crisis. With the emergency over, Oregon invested in making sure people were aware of how to stay eligible for Medicaid benefits. The result: Only 16% of Medicaid beneficiaries in Oregon were unenrolled — among the lowest percentage in the country. [OPB]
- By contrast: More than half the people on Medicaid in Montana, Utah, Idaho, Texas, and Oklahoma lost their benefits. [OPB]
Opposition to Proposed Tax Hike
The proposal to raise the Portland Clean Energy Fund tax faces opposition on the City Council. Critics say it could open up the city to new lawsuits. [Willamette Week]
13 OSU Student Visas Revoked
As of late last week, the Trump administration had revoked the visas for at least 23 international students at Oregon colleges and universities, including 13 at Oregon State University. That means they have two weeks to leave the country — or find another legal avenue for staying. [Oregonian]
What To Do
Monday, April 14
- 🌷 Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival | Timed entry, 5 a.m. - 5 p.m. | $16+ | Woodburn, Oregon
- 🍁 Natural Patterns: Katazome Stencil Dyeing | 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. | $21.95 | Portland Japanese Garden
- 🎬 The Ballad of Wallis Island | 4:15 & 7:15 p.m. | $10.25+ | Cinema 21
- 🐝 The Science of Bee Swarms | 7 p.m. | $8 suggested donation | Hillsboro
Tuesday, April 15
- 💸 Tax Day | today | various | local, state, and federal government
- 🥣 Adult Ceramic Classes | 10:30 a.m. for 10 weeks | $550 | Buckman
- 🐌 Science Pub: Slime Time | 7 p.m. | $8 suggested donation | Kennedy School
- 🎬 Cryptozoo | 7:00 p.m. | $10 | Clinton Street Theater
Saturday, May 3
- 🎉 503 Day Block Party | 1 - 6:03 p.m. | Free | Downtown
⚽ Portland Thorns player Deyna Castellanos opted against playing for the Venezuelan national team this month. She cited concerns she might not be able to return to the United States, given the Trump administration’s border policies.
“The uncertainty of like, ‘Yeah, I can go home, but not knowing if I can come back,’ is something that is very scary, not just for me but players across the league," Castellanos told reporters last week.
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