Oregon Senate Votes Today on Funding Bill That Could Raise Gas Prices and Save ODOT Jobs
Will the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) beleaguered funding bill be passed by the Senate today is the question on many lips.
Sidestepped by Republican lawmakers that left the funding bill unresolved at the end of the last legislative session, its progress once again came to a halt two weeks ago.
Special Legislative Voting Session Was Postponed to Allow Democrat Senator Time to Recover from Post-Op Health Issues
This time, it was the Democrats who asked for a 14-day extension to allow Senator Chris Gorsek time to recover from health issues following a recent operation. His vote is crucial, as the Democrats only have the exact 18 votes required to ensure that the funding package progresses into law.
Republican lawmakers have made it clear that they will not lend their support to the package, citing additional financial burdens on Oregonians as the reason for digging in their heels.
Oregon Senators meet at 10 a.m. today in what is considered a D-Day for ODOT, which faces mass layoffs and a streamlined budget for the maintenance of the state’s rapidly deteriorating transportation network.
Governor Tina Kotek regards maintenance of the state’s roads and bridges as vital to ensure the safety of motorists and the continued job security of hundreds of workers who face losing their paychecks.
Kotek Says Additional Extensions to the Legislative Session Will Continue Until the Bill is Passed
This week, Kotek told the press that it was hoped today would be the end of a special legislative session she called to pass a funding package for ODOT. However, she also said that life is unpredictable, but if something occurred to delay the bill, extensions of the special session will continue until ‘we get it done.’
The Democrats do not need the support of Republicans, as they have a majority in the Senate. However, Senator Mark Meek publicly opposed the bill during the regular session. He has, however, now indicated that he may approve a version of the bill if it does not impose too great a financial strain on Oregonians.
Failure to pass the bill today will send it back to committee for changes, and it will then have to pass through both the House and the Senate chambers.
House Bill 3991 proposes an increase in DMV fees, a six-cent hike in the price of gas, a doubling of the state fund to 2%, and the introduction of a levy on owners of electric vehicles. If the bill is passed today, the gas tax and DMV increases will become effective on December 17.