Oregon Democrats' transportation bill faces stiff opposition

Oregon DOT

A controversial Oregon state transportation bill, which would result in tax and fee increases of $14.6 billion over the next decade, passed a House legislative committee and is headed for a vote of the full body.

If it passes, House Bill 2025 would help fund improvements to aging roads, bridges and city and county transit and increase accountability for Oregon Department of Transportation spending, according to Democrat supporters.

The transportation package "represents a transformative investment in the roads and bridges in every city and county in Oregon," said Sen. Chris Gorsek, D-Gresham, co-chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation Reinvestment.

"These investments mean potholes can be fixed, roads can be plowed, bridges can be stabilized, and drivers and pedestrians can get around more safely," Gorsek said.

The state had to approve $19 million in emergency funding in December 2023 to ensure the state's highways would be cleared of snow.

The public process that resulted in the bill began last summer with a 13-stop statewide listening tour where lawmakers heard testimony on the condition of the state's roads and bridges. That was followed by legislators and stakeholders holding public work group meetings in the fall to craft policy and funding solutions.

Republicans — and some Democrats — oppose the bill that would raise $1.8 billion to $2 billion annually, which makes for an uncertain future, since the bill requires a three-fifths majority vote to pass.

To ensure committee approval, Senate President Rob Wagner, D-Lake Oswego, removed Sen. Mark Meek, D-Gladstone, who opposed the measure, from the Joint Transportation Reinvestment Committee, and swapped himself in, the Oregon Capital Chronicle reported.

The bill narrowly passed out of committee on a 7-5 vote on Friday and is now headed to the full House. It would need to pass both chambers before Sunday when the session adjourns.

Rep. Shelly Boshart Davis, R-Albany, characterized the bill as a "scheme" by Salem Democrats to bring to life their "transportation tax wish list," and "ram through the largest tax hike in Oregon history," despite opposition from 61% of Oregonians, according to polls. Many residents testified against it.

Republicans had proposed an amendment to the bill that would have replaced it with their transportation bill, which calls for no tax increases and would instead raid climate relief funding programs to pay for transportation work.

Their proposal, like Democrats' bill, would also increase oversight of ODOT.

The state is led by Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, a Democrat, and the party holds majorities in both legislative chambers.

"Oregonians don't want to pay more in taxes and fees for government [services] they should already be getting," Davis said. "They want potholes filled, snow plowed, and roads and bridges maintained."

"Our proposal served as a bridge that sought to rebuild Oregonians' trust in ODOT before asking them to pay more," Davis said.