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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Search to resume Saturday for Guinness record holder Todd Ragsdale ... Prosecutors use refuge occupiers' own words against them ... DA won't offer felony discharge to justice director Shane Hagey ... Search to resume Saturday for Guinness record holder Todd Ragsdale ... Prosecutors use refuge occupiers' own words against them ... DA won't offer felony discharge to justice director Shane Hagey ... PORTLAND Portland voters to decide 10-cent gas tax in May It would pay for street improvements Comment By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Jan. 28, 2016 at 3:56 PM Updated Jan 28, 2016 at 3:57 PM By The Associated Press Posted Jan. 28, 2016 at 3:56 PM Updated Jan 28, 2016 at 3:57 PM » Social News PORTLAND — Portland voters will decide the fate of a 10-cent-per-gallon tax on gas in May. The Portland City Council on Wednesday voted unanimously to send the tax to the May 17 ballot, The Oregonian reports. "Today, we've achieved something that some people probably thought couldn't happen," Commissioner Nick Fish said. "Which is: You've found a path forward." The gas-tax vote is a final step in a two-year long battle over how to pay for street improvements in the city. In 2014, Mayor Charlie Hales and Commissioner Steve Novick pushed for a new street fee without a public vote, which was largely derided by Portland residents. If approved, the gas tax is projected to raise about $35.8 million for paving projects and $28.2 million for safety projects, sidewalks and bike lanes. Regardless of how much the tax raises, 56 percent of revenues will go toward street repairs and 44 percent will go toward safety projects. Portland's roads have been falling into disrepair for years. Officials estimate repairing them would take nearly $1.2 billion over 10 years. A gas tax was put forward as a preferred option to fund the projects last fall after other plans fell through. Petroleum industry officials have already voiced strong opposition for the tax, which has only garnered tepid support from voters, according to early polling. Paul Romain, a lobbyist for the Oregon Fuels Association, said his group would challenge the wording on the city's ballot and then campaign against the tax during the election season. "There will be a very broad coalition opposing this at the ballot in May, I can guarantee you that," he said. By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Jan. 28, 2016 at 3:56 PM Updated Jan 28, 2016 at 3:57 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501