State's highest court rules for city in art tax legal fight

Oregeon's Supreme Court ruled Thursday, Sept. 21, that the city of Portland's annual $35-per-person art tax was legal. The tax approved by voters in 2012 funds art education and programs in local schools.

 Pamplin Media Group file photo

Oregon's Supreme Court ruled Thursday that an arts tax approved by Portland voters in 2012 was constitutional.

The annual $35-per-person income tax was levied on adult residents earning above a certain income, as a way to add arts teachers in schools and lower the barriers to local arts programs.