US EditionReaders Respond: Vote to Tax the Rich
Deferred maintenance has caused deterioration of 25% of highway culverts and 20% of traffic signals, with only 87% of roads rated fair or better, ODOT said.
- On Wednesday, the Oregon Department of Transportation reported a $242 million funding gap after revenue from House Bill 3991 was frozen by a referral to the 2026 ballot, while leaders warned deferring maintenance is degrading Oregon’s transportation system.
- Gov. Tina Kotek has urged lawmakers to repeal HB 3991 during the short legislative session this month and redirect funds while Rep. Shelly Boshart Davis, R-Albany, stressed balancing costs with voter affordability concerns.
- Officials cited recent examples where rutted pavement on U.S. 26 near Warm Springs forced speed reductions and cost over $500,000 on patches, said Tova Peltz.
- ODOT warned it may finalize service reductions or layoffs after the session, and agency leaders said failures can cause highway closures, isolate communities, and delay emergency response.
- Starting next year, ODOT says it can only afford interstate paving, and Mike Russell warned, `The longer you defer something, the more expensive it’s going to be,` highlighting trade-offs for culverts and traffic signals.
13 Articles
13 Articles
Readers respond: Vote to tax the rich
Regarding Gov. Tina Kotek’s push to repeal the recently-passed transportation package, it is shameful that Democrats cannot raise taxes even with supermajorities in both chambers, (“Gov. Tina Kotek calls for repeal of controversial transportation package she championed,” Jan. 7). Despite historic wealth inequality, Democrats cannot bring themselves to tax the rich. Is it because so many of them are beholden to moneyed interests and care more abo…
Kotek’s call to repeal her own transportation law faces legal concerns
Repealing the 2025 transportation law she championed in the upcoming short session could raise legal questions for Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek. On Jan. 7, Kotek called on lawmakers to repeal the law she championed and Democratic lawmakers passed in a…
philomathnews.com
The New EraAG’s opinion raises questions about transportation tax repeal
A 90-year-old legal opinion could jeopardize Gov. Tina Kotek’s desire to repeal House Bill 3991, the controversial Oregon Department of Transportation funding package she backed and lawmakers passed in a September special session. The opinion, dated Nov. 13, 1935, is about a bill lawmakers passed that year related to student fees at Oregon colleges. Before the measure went into effect, however, citizens gathered enough signatures to send it t…
Oregon Journalism Project: AG’s opinion raises questions about transportation tax repeal
Free news from Oregon Journalism Project: A 90-year-old legal opinion could jeopardize Gov. Tina Kotek’s desire to repeal House Bill 3991, the controversial Oregon Department of Transportation funding package she backed and lawmakers passed in a September special session.
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