Now that we’re back to square one on transportation funding, here’s an idea: Get rid of emissions testing for cars in the Portland and Medford areas, (“After a year of failed attempts, Oregon lawmakers are back at square one on transportation plan,” Jan. 17).
An increasing number of cars are electric or hybrid, and modern gas cars are fairly efficient and non-polluting, at least compared to two decades ago. So why do we need all the people, infrastructure and costs associated with that biannual hassle? Sell off the real estate dedicated to Oregon Department of Environmental Quality testing stations and reassign the employees tasked with managing the program. Doing so would also cut the cost of owning a car. Maybe not by a lot,…..