Thank you for being a member of the Portland Metro Chamber.
You are a valued part of the largest and most diverse business association in the State of Oregon. We are grateful for your support, and for your leadership as employers and leaders in our community. Our staff are proud to advocate on your behalf for a thriving economic future for Portland and the entire State of Oregon.
That is why I’m thrilled to announce our:
2nd Annual Portland Advocacy Day in Salem
We know that operating a business has been challenging these past several years, but our optimism for a brighter future holds strong. Here at the Chamber, we choose to view our current economic challenges as our greatest opportunity to call for major change.
Just like in 2025, the Chamber’s 2026 Legislative Action Plan was developed with deep input from dozens of partners, and it again provides legislators with a focused set of priorities to fuel Portland’s future economy.
When the Legislature convenes for a month starting next week, we will call on legislators to focus on three key priorities for Portland’s economy:
- Secure the long-term future of the Portland Trail Blazers by passing the Moda Center renovation investment package.
In addition to being the home of the Blazers, the Moda Center is Oregon’s largest gathering place and most important entertainment venue. It is also the oldest NBA arena to have never undergone a major renovation. With a new owner ready to take over the team, and the Blazers’ strong partnership with Albina Vision Trust, it is imperative that the Legislature and the City of Portland make the public investments necessary to begin and complete this generational project. - No further damage to Oregon’s tax competitiveness.
Oregon cannot afford further damage to its tax competitiveness. The Legislature must reject any proposal to increase tourism taxes or divert them from economic development. Portland is now the highest-taxed city in the nation, and business taxes have increased by an astonishing 81% since 2019. We need tax reform that reduces the overall burden and restores the region’s competitiveness with our peer regions. Portland’s hospitality industry continues to lag the rest of the nation since the pandemic. This is the worst possible time to disrupt one of Oregon’s core economic drivers. Increasing or redirecting TLT taxes would jeopardize the economic benefits that the tourism industry generates for communities large and small across our State. The Chamber is strongly opposed to any further tax increases or redirecting economic development funds to other uses. - Support policies to build housing and allow cities to manage unsanctioned camping.
Unsanctioned camping in Portland continues to grow, while housing production is at a standstill. We will not slow or reverse the continuing growth of unsheltered homelessness without policy change by the Legislature. Following the 2024 Grants Pass Supreme Court decision, Oregon is the only state in the 9th Circuit that has not restored the ability for cities and counties to reduce the impacts of unsanctioned camping in local communities. The Legislature must urgently reform laws to fast-track housing production and restore the ability of local communities to actively manage unsanctioned camping.
Building on 2025’s Wins
In 2025, the Chamber partnered with the City of Portland and dozens of public, private, and non-profit partners to advocate for a focused, winnable, and urgent legislative action plan. With the backing of our first ever Portland Lobby Day, Governor Kotek and the Legislature delivered over $1B in potential investment in Portland’s economy, including a full commitment to building a Major League Baseball stadium and investments in the James Beard Public Market, OMSI District re-development, the new Portland State University performing arts center, and the sustainability of our major waterfront festivals.
Meeting this Moment
There’s no way to sugar coat it — this is an extremely challenging moment for Portland’s economy. This was clearly reflected in the findings of our annual State of the Portland Electorate survey:
- Over half of the region’s residents report that they are worse off economically than a year ago.
- Just 9% expect their economic situation to improve in 2026. 57% expect to be worse off in 2026.
- Economic concerns — cost of living, lack of housing options, and high taxes — have rocketed to the top of the priority list.
We know that every dollar invested in Portland’s economy returns $1.55 or a 55% premium to the state general fund. With Oregon facing declining revenues, continuing investment into Portland’s economy should be viewed as a core revenue generation strategy for government at all levels.
Positive change is now a necessity, not an option. We are proud to lead this advocacy at the state and local levels on your behalf. Thank you for being a critical part of this momentum.
Andrew Hoan
President & CEO
Portland Metro Chamber