Governor Kotek's Transportation Package - Fuel, Payroll Tax and Fee Increases Public Hearing
As many of you are aware, the Legislature will convene on Friday, August 29, for a special session to consider Governor Kotek's $5 billion transportation funding proposal. However, the opportunity to testify on this proposal will be on Monday, August 25, at 3:00 p.m. in Hearing Room F at the Oregon State Capitol Building. You can sign up here to testify in person or online.
I've heard from many of you across our district with strong views on this proposal—both in support and in opposition. Your voice matters, and I take note of every email and comment.
But don’t miss this chance to make your voice heard **directly**. The committee will be taking public testimony on **Monday, August 25**, and I encourage you to share your thoughts with them—whether in person or online.
The Governor’s plan aims to address ODOT’s budget shortfall. You can review the Special Session Transportation Framework Summary and the draft bill text, LC 02 here.
You can read the Staff Measure Summary of the bill here.
Listed below are some notable elements of the proposal:
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Gas tax increase of 6¢ per gallon
- Registration fees doubling
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Title fee increase from $139 to $216
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Payroll tax doubling to fund urban transit
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Road Usage Charge phased in for EVs & hybrids
- Governor taking over appointment of the ODOT Director
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*** Section 12 *** Will allow future gas taxes and truck fees to be raised WITHOUT A VOTE by unelected ODOT bureaucrats!
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Here's how it works: Every two years a study measures whether cars and trucks are "paying their fair share". If the Legislature doesn't act within 120 days, ODOT must step in and adjust fuel taxes and weight-mile rates by rule. No Vote. No Accountability to Oregonians. This is a dangerous precedent. Oregon's Constitution requires a 3/5ths vote to raise taxes. This legislative scheme sidesteps that protection.
You can testify a variety of ways:
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In-person at the State Capitol (Sign up here)
- Please note: the entry point to the Capitol building will be the center State Street doors.
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Virtually via the legislature’s online platform (Sign up here)
- By submitting written testimony (Submit here)
Please use the links above and tell Governor Kotek and her Democrat supermajority that you have had enough of their tax and spend policies! Submit testimony today!
Friends,
This is an important time and your voice is needed in this process. Many of you have been engaged, and my colleagues and I are grateful for your voice. We need your voice again in this process, to stop these tax and fee increases that will harm families across our state and drive up costs for every Oregonian.
Thank you for your support and I want to thank my colleagues Senator Weber and Representative Diehl for their assistance in putting a lot of this information together.
Yours Truly,
 Senator David Brock Smith
Together, We Will Build a Better Oregon
 Senate District 1
Curry, Coos, and Douglas Counties
Southwest Oregon’s Fish, Farm, and Forestry District.
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1701
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, S-316, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email: Sen.DavidBrockSmith@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/smithd
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