Salem, Oregon – Last week, House Republicans presented a transportation strategy meant to protect Oregon residents from added tax obligations while guaranteeing roads stay safe and usable. The proposal calls for the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to refocus its mission on core infrastructure maintenance, lowering nearly $730 million through targeted savings and spending adjustments. Lawmakers claim the policies will provide functioning roads without requiring higher payment from Oregonians.
“This plan protects Oregon families from more tax increases by requiring ODOT to cut wasteful spending that does not align with core functions,” said House Republican Leader Christine Drazan of Canby.
Her caucus contends that at a moment of increasing expenses, taxpayers should not be requested to fund costly initiatives outside the agency’s fundamental responsibilities. Drazan underlined that the state has to reject funding contentious or nonessential projects with money initially planned for roads, bridges, and safety services.
Albany Representative Shelly Boshart Davis added that for years ODOT has pursued pet projects at the expense of pavement and pothole repair.
“When an agency is focusing on an agenda of one-party rule, pavement priorities get sidetracked,” she said. “Oregonians see it and deserve better.”
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Under the GOP proposal, lawmakers would reallocate $306.7 million from the statewide Transportation Improvement Fund and reroute $68.3 million by freezing vacancies. Leasing away underutilized office space at ODOT headquarters would free up another $55.9 million.
Additional savings would come from pulling back bicycle and pedestrian programs by $47 million, slashing passenger rail financing by $38 million, and cutting $35 million from the car privilege tax. Agency staff costs would be lowered by three percent, saving $40 million, while the Social Equity and Civil Rights Division would experience a $24.9 million drop.
House Republicans further suggest that the state assume control of the Rose Quarter Improvement Project by using general obligation bonds, citing a century-old constitutional clause to “get Oregon out of the mud” just as the original Oregon Highway Commission did when it established in 1913. Laying the foundation for the current network of roadways spanning from Coos Bay to Joseph, that agency helped move the state from horse-drawn carts to cars.
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By comparison, the Democratic transportation proposal would generate about $2 billion via increased taxes, fees, and family and business motorist higher levies. Critics claim the strategy taxes Oregon families at a time when inflation already tightens finances. Piling tax increases onto failed budgets for the sake of particular interests, as the Oregonian editorial board just pointed out, is “flatly unconscionable.”
House Republicans want to react to rising anger about the expense of living and call government responsibility with this plan. Refocusing ODOT on its basic duty—building and maintaining safe roads—they claim Oregon can keep important transportation services without requiring people to go deeper into their pockets.
More details about the initiative can be found here.
