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Good morning, Northwest.

Oregon lawmakers took steps forward yesterday on some of the short legislative session’s major issues like the gas tax referendum and reining in data centers.

This morning’s newsletter includes the latest from the Legislature’s last few days in Salem.

We start today’s First Look with news about a Portland program meant to incentivize housing construction. OPB’s Alex Zielinski reports on what the data says and what it doesn’t.

Here’s your First Look at Tuesday’s news.

—Bradley W. Parks

Portland says new housing incentive program is working, yet data is inconclusive

Portland’s attempt to incentivize housing construction is beginning to pay off — ever so slightly.

In a memo sent to Portland city councilors on Friday, officials said the city “is seeing some promising results” in the first five months of a new program that temporarily waives certain fees developers are required to pay to build in city limits.

The city saw a small increase in the number of new housing permits issued to developers compared to the previous year, but it’s unclear how much the fee waiver has to do with it.

The report sent to councilors is notable for the data it contains and the data it’s missing. (Alex Zielinski)

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3 things to know this morning

• The spectacular, 92-foot Abiqua Falls east of Salem is for sale. Oregon has taken the first step toward acquiring it. (April Ehrlich)
• Oregon lawmakers yesterday approved a change that would block new data center projects from receiving enterprise zone tax breaks until the summer of 2027. (Dirk VanderHart)
• The Oregon House yesterday also gave final approval to move the gas tax referendum to May’s primary election. (Dirk VanderHart)

Headlines from around the Northwest

• What Oregon lawmakers still have to do before legislative session ends (OPB staff)
• Negotiations over waivers for Oregon gyms, ski resorts and more face ‘impasse’ in Legislature (Bryce Dole)
• Eugene’s Claim 52 Brewery to take over brewpub where Rogue Ales began its Newport operations (Zac Ziegler)
• State-tribal wildlife area in Oregon stalls after timberland owner withdraws from deal (April Ehrlich)

Listen in on OPB’s daily conversation

“Think Out Loud” airs at noon and 8 p.m. weekdays on OPB Radio, opb.org and the OPB News app. Today’s planned topics (subject to change):

• Tualatin High School cheer team wins back to back state, national championships
• Discussing the last week of Oregon’s legislative session

Logging sports competition returns to Oregon State University

Last week, students from four universities took up their axes and chainsaws to begin two days of logging sports at Peavy Arboretum in Corvallis.

This splintery competition, called the Spring Thaw, is a storied tradition of Oregon State University’s College of Forestry. Students test their logging skills in events ranging from crosscut sawing to log rolling.

It’s also a community-building event for many students, bringing together logging sports lovers from across the western states. (Macy Moore)

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News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2026/03/03/oregon-legislature-gas-tax-data-centers-first-look/