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It has been a busy Summer so far! I want to hear from you! I’m hosting a public town hall on September 5th at 6pm in the City Council Chamber at Springfield City Hall: 225 5th Street, Springfield, 97477.
Transportation Funding:
One of the main focuses this Summer has been funding for our transportation system. Some may recall that in 2017 we passed a bipartisan Transportation Package. It was a success that helped to fund some major new capital projects throughout the state and provided new investments in public transit and other forms of transportation. Restrictions on funding, increasing costs due to inflation and declining gas tax revenues due to the increase in electric and fuel-efficient vehicles have made it difficult to fund and maintain our transportation system and infrastructure. Simply put, we do not have enough revenue to fund needed transportation investments and ongoing maintenance at current levels with our existing available funding mechanisms. Currently the main sources of the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) budget comes from Federal Funding, our state gas tax, licensing and registration fees and the weight mile tax on heavy vehicles. Increasing the gas tax will be required but will not be sufficient in the near or long term to fund our transportation needs. Now is the time to get creative!
The Joint Transportation Committee has been doing an amazing job of organizing the work this Summer. They have been on a statewide “roadshow” to hear from constituents and local leaders about what is most needed in each community. I attended the events they hosted in Eugene and Albany to provide input on local priorities.
One idea being considered is a road user fee. I have advocated for this method of paying for our transportation infrastructure and introduced a bill on it in every session I have been in the legislature. A road user fee can be implemented or phased-in several ways and it is an important part of the discussion. We currently have a voluntary road user fee program called OReGO which I participate in: Oregon Department of Transportation : OReGO: Oregon's Road Usage Charge Program : Programs : State of Oregon
Implementing the road user fee will not generate much new revenue in the short term but can add important revenue in the future as more vehicles are included. If our long-term goal is to reduce the impact of carbon emissions from fossil fuels, we need to provide a mechanism that replaces the revenue currently generated by the gas tax.
I have confidence that the legislature will produce a creative bipartisan solution to our transportation funding needs which will be supported by legislative leaders and the public.
Wildfires:
Another focus this Summer is wildfires. It seems that all of us in Oregon are affected by wildfires. Many are struggling and the State needs to do a better job. I am part of a Wildfire Mitigation Funding Workgroup that is meeting over the Summer and into the Fall. A large group of Legislators, stakeholders, policy experts, Oregon Department of Forestry, the State Fire Marshal’s office and others are working on sustainably funding wildfire mitigation, suppressions, mobilizations and land classifications. We will be deliberating on the best ideas with the plan to submit recommendations to the legislature in 2025. It is critically important to find a solution to funding efforts to fight wildfires, do more to minimize the risk and to support communities most impacted. Any increased funding will need to come from a variety of sources but recognizing that all of us in the State have an obligation to be part of the longer-term solution.
Other key considerations for the 2025 session include moving forward to address increasing our efforts to recycle, recapture and use items now going into our landfills; funding needed public infrastructure to allow the development of critical new housing throughout Oregon, continuing to fund programs expanded in 2023 and 2024 that are showing great benefits to addressing many of our challenges and as always working to not only support our educational system but to hold the system accountable for key outcomes.
Opportunities to Interact:
It is always an honor to represent Springfield. You are always welcome to contact my office at 503-986-1407 or email me at rep.johnlively@oregonlegislature.gov. I will also be hosting a town hall soon and I would like to see you there. It will be an opportunity to interact in-person and provide input on what the legislature should focus on. The town hall is scheduled for: Thursday September 5th from 6pm-8pm in the City Council Chamber at Springfield City Hall: 225 5th Street, Springfield, 97477.
email: Rep.JohnLively@oregonlegislature.gov I phone: 503-986-1412
address: 900 Court St NE, H-488, Salem, OR, 97301
website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/lively
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