All Eyes on Salem Today as Senator Gorsek’s Return Could Rescue Oregon’s $4.3 Billion Transportation Bill
If Democrat Senator Chris Gorsek attends today’s highly publicized special Senate session, Oregon’s much-maligned transportation funding bill could finally be forwarded to Governor Tina Kotek for signature.
Deteriorating Transportation Network Needs Upgrading to Remain Safe
A ‘yes’ vote will generate $4.3 billion over the next 10 years for the maintenance of the state’s deteriorating transportation network. In the short term, it will generate $587.3 million for the State Highway Fund over the next two years.
Fifty per cent of the funding is earmarked for ODOT. This will avoid mass layoffs and ensure maintenance of roads and bridges. Counties will receive 30% of the funds, with 20% allocated to cities for their transportation networks.
The transportation bill failed to pass the legislature during the last sitting, with Republicans blocking its passage because they say it will add a further financial burden on Oregonians.
Governor Kotek then called a special session of the Senate, which had met twice but had been delayed twice due to Senator Gorsek’s post-op complications following back surgery.
Senator Gorsek’s Presence is Needed to Pass the Bill
Democrats need his presence today to ensure the safe passage of the bill, as Gorsek represents the 18th and crucial vote required for success.
Without him, Republicans are standing firm in opposition and are considering introducing a voter referendum in the fall of 2026. Of the 5,000 written testimonies recently submitted to a Senate committee, 95% are opposed to the transportation bill.
However, another delay will be a major blow to the cash-strapped Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), which will have no choice but to lay off hundreds of workers and drastically downscale its maintenance budget.
Oregon’s unemployment rate is currently standing at 5%, and adding hundreds more from ODOT is not a palatable scenario for the Democrats.
Among the transportation funding bill proposals are increasing the price of gas by 6 cents a liter, increasing DMV fees, and introducing a levy for owners of electric vehicles.
Governor Has Been Pro-Active Throughout
Governor Kotek has taken a proactive role in promoting the transportation bill and is responsible for many of its proposals.
She met with a cross-section of representatives involved in Oregon’s transport network before putting forward the proposals for approval by lawmakers. Kotek has said on more than one occasion that the funding is crucial if the state is to ensure the safety of motorists.