Legislative session ends with no transportation funding plan
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Lawmakers in Salem ended the legislative session Friday night without passing a transportation funding package, leaving a top Democratic priority unresolved and prompting Gov. Tina Kotek to hint at calling a special session.
Why it matters: Without new funding, the state transportation department faces hundreds of layoffs, stalled projects and major funding gaps for cities and counties.
Catch up quick: Democrats waited until the last few weeks of the five-month session to unveil the framework of their transportation plan, which would have raised a number of taxes and fees to generate billions for road maintenance.
- Democrats hold slim supermajorities in both legislative chambers, but some within the party signaled they would vote against the plan, effectively killing the bill.
- Lawmakers then turned to a much smaller increase of the gas tax, but a floor vote on that bill was blocked by Republicans.
What they're saying: Rep. Dacia Grayber, who represents parts of Southwest Portland and Beaverton, said on social media she was left with "frustration, anger, & frankly grief" after the package failed to pass.
- She noted that starting Monday, hundreds of state Department of Transportation workers will start to receive layoff notices: "Winter supplies and plows? Decimated. Cities and counties? Nothing. Nada. Zilch."
The other side: Republicans in both chambers celebrated the defeat of what House Republican Leader Christine Drazan called one of the "largest tax hikes in history."
- "This is a huge win for Oregonians," Senate Republican Leader Daniel Bonham said in a written statement. "Thousands of people spoke up and said to the Democrat supermajority and Governor Kotek: enough is enough."
What's next: Kotek lashed out at lawmakers at a Saturday press conference, noting they chose to end the session two days before the constitutional deadline on Sunday.
- Kotek has the power to call lawmakers back for a special session and hinted that she may do so.
- "I need every lawmaker," she said. "I don't care how tired you are. I don't care what your vacation plans are. We are going to solve this."