Salem, Ore. – A legislative committee took public testimony Monday on the latest proposal to shore up Oregon’s Department of Transportation. Dozens of people testified in Salem on Legislative Concept Two (known as LC-2) to fund road maintenance operations.
Mallorie Roberts, with the Association of Oregon Counties, supports the bill, largely because it preserves the 50-30-20 gas tax split – with the state sending 30% of the proceeds to counties and 20% to cities. “Counties also appreciate that LC-2 addresses the immediate budget gap at ODOT and allows for a stable service and staffing levels,” Roberts said Monday, “It is simply not feasible for already bear-bones county road departments to fill gaps in emergency response this winter.”
Erik Zander, with the Oregon Trucking Association, calls the proposed increase in the gas tax and vehicle registration fees a necessary reform to the state’s fee structure, “Some people might say we’re crazy for showing up in support of another increase when we still haven’t received what was promised last time. But here’s the truth: We’re willing to take a reasonable forward-looking stance, even when others won’t. Because transportation should not be a partisan issue. And we wish our elected officials would stop playing politics and get a package like this across the finish line.”…