Court Reduces Available Urban Renewal Money

Roughly $13 million in projects in Portland, Ore., including curb extensions, a new streetcar line and and a boat center are on hold after a state supreme court ruling. The court ruled that taxes the city of Portland and Multnomah County collected to fund urban renewal violated a tax cap measure passed by voters 12 years ago. If the court doesn't reverse its ruling, the issue goes to the Oregon Tax Court, which will decide whether other taxpayers were affected, and whether they are due refunds that could total $30 million.