Kotek scraps Oregon transportation funding plan

• Now, Kotek is proposing a "redirect, repeal and rebuild" approach to filling the $242 million funding hole in the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) budget.

State of play: First, Kotek will direct state lawmakers to pass a bill freeing up money in ODOT's budget currently reserved for special projects to pay for crucial road maintenance and to prevent agency layoffs.

• Second, she'll ask them to also repeal the major transportation bill approved last year, rendering a potential November vote moot.
• Then, in 2027, she'll come back with a bipartisan-supported "comprehensive transportation funding and investment package."

What she's saying: "These decisions won't be easy. There will be tradeoffs and consequences. Hundreds of people will be laid off this spring if we are not successful," Kotek said in a statement. "Giving up is not an option."

What we're watching: The proposal is already drawing ire from supporters and critics alike, who say the governor is walking back promises made to industry stakeholders as the election nears.