Good Morning,

Nike drops another 6% after hours, Portland Chamber sues City over tax increases, Seattle to claw back $13M in overpaid Police wages, Stoller wine expands their vineyard, tram in Glacier National park back on the table.

— Was this forwarded to you? Subscribe here —

Let’s Rip

US mortgage rates jump the most in four years in blow to housing market (FT)

Brent oil jumps more than 4% as U.S. reportedly sends third aircraft carrier to Middle East (CNBC)

PNW Rip partners with G.A. Rogers for professional and executive hiring in the Pacific Northwest. If you’re in the area (or moving here), check them out here.

Need a side hustle? G.A. Rogers pays for successful referrals - reach out to learn more.

Boise celebrates opening of $5.5 million permanent supportive housing expansion (BD)

“New Path II is a new permanent supportive housing community in Boise that provides a 95-unit addition to New Path Community Housing on Fairview Ave. for people exiting homelessness. The community provides on-site support services designed to promote stability, health, self-sufficiency, and independence.

The expansion includes a new six-story building with ground-floor parking, offices, and a 4,917-square-foot outdoor courtyard and garden, according to the city. The building houses 63 studios, 32 one-bedroom units, and a single two-bedroom property manager’s unit, while the first and second floors feature supportive service offices

Permanent supportive housing is a strategy, often called Housing First, that prioritizes putting residents living on the streets in housing even if they are still struggling with addiction, have an eviction on their record, or a criminal history. These units come with supportive services, like mental health counseling, addiction support services, and case managers to keep residents off the streets permanently.

The support services will be supported by the city’s investment fund for supportive services, launched in collaboration with the Idaho Community Foundation to collect philanthropic donations to fund ongoing support for homelessness in the future, as BoiseDev reported.

The $5.5 million in funding for the project came from the federal American Rescue Plan Act COVID-19 relief package. The money was originally appropriated in fiscal year 2023 for affordable housing initiatives.”

Portland Metro Chamber CEO sues city over arts tax increase (OPB)

“The complaint argues that Portland City Council doesn’t have the authority to increase taxes.

The head of Portland’s largest chamber of commerce is taking the city to court for hiking the city’s arts tax without voter approval.

“Cities have to talk to their voters about taxes,” Portland Metro Chamber President Andrew Hoan told OPB. “Maybe the councilors who want to raise this tax are right. Then they should ask voters. It really isn’t that complicated when you boil it down.”

Lawyers with Tonkon Torp LLP representing Hoan and Portland coffee shop owner Loretta Guzman filed the lawsuit in Oregon Tax Court Thursday. That state court exclusively hears complaints related to tax law, with appeals going directly to the Oregon Supreme Court.

Portland voters approved the Arts Education and Access Tax, commonly called the arts tax, in 2012, with the measure passing with nearly 62% of the vote. The $35 tax on Portlanders who earn more than $1,000 annually goes toward public school art programs and art nonprofits. In the years since its passage, the tax has been criticized for its onerous collection process and for not going far enough to cover arts programs.

In May, Portland City Council voted to increase the tax by 43%, while also exempting roughly 40% of lower-income tax filers from paying. The vote also allowed the tax to be indexed to inflation in the future, meaning additional increases down the line.

Hoan’s attorneys say that this vote was illegal. They argue the city’s charter doesn’t grant councilors the legal authority to raise taxes — a requirement they believe the Oregon Constitution and prior case law uphold.

The city’s legal team has taken a different stance. Before the tax was adopted in May, City Attorney Robert Taylor told councilors he believes the city has the authority to tweak the arts tax.

“When the voters approve it, they are exercising their legislative authority as voters,” Taylor said, referring to the passage of the 2012 measure. “This council has concurrent legislative authority and so this council can make changes.”

Send us News

Work with us

Follow on X

Keep Rippin’