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To reply to this email, send to Rep.EWernerReschke@oregonlegislature.gov
In Oregon, when the government tries to solve a problem, it only makes it worse. Oregon’s legislature is famous for generating lots of attention without meaningful results. This translates into the illusion of legislators “working” even though that time rarely solves the issues at hand.
While many Oregonians were enjoying Labor Day weekend with family and friends, the Governor called a special emergency session of the Legislature to fix a “revenue shortfall” in transportation. The Governor’s claim was that unless the Legislature raised taxes, ODOT workers will be laid off, resulting in poor road maintenance; roads not plowed, painted or maintained as winter approaches.
On its face, this ultimatum lacks common sense. If you ran the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), an organization of nearly 5,000 employees, and one of your most important tasks is road safety and maintenance, would you layoff the 500 employees whose job is to keep roads safe? This threat is merely political blackmail, not a serious response to the problem. The Governor hopes we all give-in and pay the ransom.
ODOT’s Problems
ODOT does have its share of legitimate problems: Enormous project cost overruns, dramatic increase in debt service and a budget that does not allow ODOT to be all things to all people. The government always declares a “Revenue Shortfall” instead of having accountability for over-spending or misplaced priorities. Politicians promise accountability in the future, but rarely look back at previously made decisions. They want more money in order to fix existing real problems now.
ODOT’s current budget shows roughly $28 million being spent on a department in charge of DEI and over $10 million to help prevent climate change. Are these core functions of ODOT? The Governor and Democrats in the Legislature seem to think so, fiercely protecting these two priorities that have nothing to do with road maintenance. They claim there is no money to plow roads or keep roads safe this winter.
Rather than giving ODOT flexibility in how they spend their budgets, or setting up priorities and accountability for the agency, or actually firing managers who allot cost overruns that soar into the 100’s of millions of dollars — Democrats in the legislature claim the answer to the problem is to raise taxes: at the pump, in your paycheck, and the DMV for vehicle title or registration. The Democrat answer to ODOT’s budget shortfall, is that you pay more, and ODOT continues funding misplaced priorities.
On Labor Day
This past Monday I voted NO on the Transportation Tax Bill. How ironic that Labor Day is a holiday set aside to honor those who work, and the Oregon House majority party voted this message , “We want to raise your taxes more.” Oregon already has an affordability problem. Raising taxes makes this problem worse. A tax increase is a slap in the face to those who work hard to provide for their families.
A 6¢/gallon increase appears small. However, this 6¢/gallon increase is on top of doubling the transit payroll tax and dramatic DMV fee increases. This 6¢/gallon is on top of an economic forecast where Oregon has lost nearly 25,000 jobs in key sectors — sectors that produce good living wage jobs, and whose taxes help fund state government. Oregon’s unemployment rate now exceeds 5%. The last time that happened was in the middle of the lockdowns in 2021. Where is the special session for these private sector workers? Are their jobs less important than government agency employees?
It’s Not One Thing, It’s Everything
The Labor Day Transportation Tax Bill (HB 3991) passed the Oregon House and is now before the Oregon Senate. Not only does this bill increases gas 6¢/gallon but it does so on top of all the other new and increased to taxes passed within the last 8 years:
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2017 (HB 2017): Increase to gas tax by 10¢/gallon
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2019 (HB 3427): New Corporate Activities Tax — on average, costs every Oregonian over $350 / year
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2019 (HB 2270): Increase by 150% in cigarette tax, and new taxes on other tobacco products.
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2019 (HB 2005): New Paid Family Medical Leave payroll tax on people and businesses
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2019 (HB 2449): Increase to 9-1-1 cell phone tax.
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2021 (SB 139): An effective 17% increase to the small business tax.
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2022 (HB 2022): New Forest Practices Act Tax, which drives up the cost of wood products
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2023 (HB 2757): New 9-8-8 cell phone tax
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2025 (HB 3940): New Nicotine Pouch tax
This list doesn’t include the myriad of policies the legislature passed during the same time period which have increased the burden on businesses with cumbersome employment and environmental regulations — driving prices up for every product and service in the state. This list doesn’t include all the agency fee increases the legislature has approved as well.
When is Enough?
As long as the Democrat party is the majority in the legislature, it will never be enough. When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem becomes a nail. Democrat’s only tool to solving budget problems is raising taxes — for a reminder, look again at the listing above.
While other states are lowering taxes and growing, Oregon is raising taxes and declining. It doesn’t have to be this way. However, Oregonians must be resolute and remember this Transportation Tax is just one in many new taxes making it less affordable to live and prosper in Oregon.
What’s The Answer?
There are other ways to solve ODOT’s problems, but it will require a different mindset and new people in charge of the legislature and Governor’s office.
Republicans introduced HB 3982 during the 2025 session. HB 3982 was the Republican response to ODOT’s woes. The bill reprioritized ODOT spending, focusing on road maintenance and safety WITHOUT raising taxes and fees. Many of those ideas were also introduced as amendments (and rejected by Democrats) to HB 3991 during the special session.
Republicans just don’t say NO. We say NO to harmful ideas and at the same time propose citizen-friendly solutions.
Be sure to let your Senator know your opinion on higher gas prices before they vote on the Transportation Tax on September 17th.
 It is an honor to serve the people of Central & Southern Oregon. If you need assistance with a state matter, plan on visiting the Capitol or have an idea for legislation, please reach out to my office.
Best regards,
E. WERNER RESCHKE
State Representative, HD 55
The Crater Lake District
Capitol Phone
(503) 986-1455
Capitol Address
900 Court St. NE, H-383
Salem, OR 97301
Email
Rep.EWernerReschke@oregonlegislature.gov
Website
www.oregonlegislature.gov/reschke
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