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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 Portlanders blast EPA for Willamette River cleanup plan ... Forest Service, Finicum supporters at odds over memorial ... Residents complain during pot hearing ... Portlanders blast EPA for Willamette River cleanup plan ... Forest Service, Finicum supporters at odds over memorial ... Residents complain during pot hearing ... APPEALS COURT Appeals court rules that Portland arts tax is legal Comment By Steven DuBois The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Steven DuBois The Associated Press Posted Jun. 8, 2016 at 6:29 PM By Steven DuBois The Associated Press Posted Jun. 8, 2016 at 6:29 PM » Social News PORTLAND — Portland's annual arts tax has survived a legal challenge. The Oregon Court of Appeals agreed Wednesday with a county judge that the $35 tax is not a head tax — a fixed fee assessed on each eligible person — and therefore doesn't violate the state constitution. Portland voters approved the tax that pays for art and music teachers in November 2012, and opponents wasted little time fighting it. The case taken on by the Appeals Court was filed by a city resident who argued it was a head tax. The Appeals Court said that wasn't the case. The fee applies to Portland residents who are at least 18 and have at least $1,000 in annual income. Social Security and pension benefits don't count toward the income threshold. "Thus, the Arts Tax is not imposed on all Portland residents who are age 18 or older, or even on all such residents who earn income as that term is commonly understood," the Appeals Court said in its 12-page opinion. Portland voters approved the tax by more than 20 percentage points, but expected revenue has fallen millions of dollars short because thousands of people have not bothered to send in a check or pay online, and enforcement has been lax. Thomas Lannom, director of Portland's revenue division, said he's pleased the court found the tax to be legally imposed. He said the City Council next week will consider a resolution to refer delinquent taxpayers to a collection agency. "We urge all Portlanders who have not paid the tax to do so now," he said. By Steven DuBois The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Steven DuBois The Associated Press Posted Jun. 8, 2016 at 6:29 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