In a surprise defeat for Democrats, Oregon’s majority party lawmakers on Friday adopted a transportation bill that would only generate a little amount of more cash in comparison to previous proposals.
Democrats had intended to enact a number of tax and fee increases this year to obtain additional funds for the upkeep of Oregon’s roads and bridges as well as the completion of significant interstate improvements that were initially authorized in 2017. This was a significant setback for them.
After realizing they lacked the numbers in both chambers to pass a larger package, Democratic leaders trimmed their funding proposal, which would boost the state’s gas tax from 40 cents to 43 cents and hike title and registration fees by $21 and $91, respectively.
In comparison to a previously proposed transportation package that would have eventually raised over $1.6 billion annually, the package would only generate about $215 million year beginning in 2027.
Gov. Tina Kotek and other Democrats who supported the new, more condensed plan admitted that it would not provide the kind of funding first hoped for for many of the state’s transportation requirements. However, they stated that approving the modest package was better than doing nothing and causing the Oregon Department of Transportation to reduce services and fire employees.
Nobody is disputing the sufficiency of this answer. Kotek told senators during a public hearing on Friday that it is a Band-Aid in every way. Communities and local governments that depend on state funding are left (behind).
The Oregon Department of Transportation would get all of the new revenue under this proposal, in contrast to earlier transportation proposals this session that would have given large sums of money to local governments and public transportation.
The state agency’s leaders have stated that in order to prevent widespread layoffs and service reductions, it requires a financial boost.
Only Democrats voted in favor of the measure, which was approved by the House Rules Committee Friday night on a 4-3 party line vote. The package was opposed by all Republicans, who have been denouncing Democrats for putting forward any tax increases this year for months.
After it became apparent that Democrats lacked the votes to pass an earlier transportation package that would have increased the gas tax more significantly and enacted a number of other tax and fee hikes, House Speaker Julie Fahey, a Democrat from Eugene, crafted the proposal in the final days of this year’s legislative session.
Statewide, municipal leaders begged lawmakers not to approve the new package, citing their urgent need for funding to fix local roads and bridges. A number of them requested that lawmakers try to find a way to pass the transportation plan, which was much larger and had been developed earlier.
Beaverton Mayor Lacey Beaty stated in a public hearing before the vote, “We ask you to oppose this bill and take the time we need to make this transportation (package) right.” This package should not be passed. Don’t use the argument that this is a great deed to justify a yes vote.
Some of the prior package’s elements were kept in the drastically reduced package, such as regulations to strengthen control of the Oregon Department of Transportation by mandating more frequent audits.
Republicans rejoiced over the death of the proposed tax increases in the previous bill, while environmentalists, transit supporters, and municipal leaders denounced the new package and begged lawmakers to bring the earlier proposal back to life.
Democrats could theoretically pass any tax hike along party lines because they hold supermajorities in both chambers, but they were unable to persuade all Senate Democrats to back more significant tax increases, which led to the latest idea.
In a press release Friday evening, Senate Republican Leader Daniel Bonham of the Dalles declared, “This is a huge win for Oregonians.” Thousands of individuals voiced their displeasure to Governor Kotek and the Democratic supermajority.
State politics and government are covered by Carlos Fuentes. You may contact him at orcfuentes@oregonian.com or 503-221-5386.
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In major loss for Democrats, lawmakers advance ultra slim transportation bill with no new dollars for cities, counties, transit
In major loss for Democrats, lawmakers advance ultra slim transportation bill with no new dollars for cities, counties, transit
In major loss for Democrats, lawmakers advance ultra slim transportation bill with no new dollars for cities, counties, transit