Oregonians Across the State Reject Tina Kotek’s $4.3B Transportation Tax Hike
As you probably know, Governor Tina Kotek and Democrats in the Legislature are pushing a $4.3 billion transportation tax hike, claiming more taxes is the only way to avoid laying off maintenance workers at ODOT. But Oregonians in urban, suburban, and rural areas alike aren’t buying it. We think you already pay enough in taxes. Government’s job is to provide essential services like plowing winter roads and fixing potholes, not pouring your hard-earned money into the non-essential priorities Governor Kotek continues to fund instead.
Thousands of Oregonians made that clear in recent testimony, and we want to show you just how overwhelming the opposition is. Out of more than 5,000 pieces of written testimony submitted to the Legislature, 4,836 were in opposition and just 263 were in support. That’s 95% opposed.
To highlight this overwhelming response, we created an interactive map of testimony by city. The map shows what the numbers make clear: from Portland to Pendleton, opposition is spread across every corner of the state.
Click this link to explore the map yourself.
We also printed every single piece of testimony. The results are striking: the “support” stack is miniscule compared to the towering pile of opposition.
In fact, as you can see in the photo below, the stack of opposition testimony is nearly as tall as one of our policy analysts! That’s how much Oregonians are speaking out against this tax hike.
Senate Republicans have consistently shown up—not just voting “no”—but offering responsible alternatives that would save ODOT jobs and preserve critical operations and maintenance without raising taxes on already over-burdened Oregonians. Unfortunately, partisan politics continues to take precedence over finding compromise, and our ideas have been dismissed by Governor Tina Kotek and the Democrats who control this process.
Families are struggling with the fourth highest gas prices in the nation and some of the highest taxes in the country. Adding another $4.3 billion tax burden is the wrong approach. Oregonians have spoken loud and clear: they don’t want another massive tax increase. Any leader who ignores this is ignoring Oregon, and the people won’t forget.
Whenever the vote takes place (as of now, it’s set for September 29th), we will continue to stand with the majority of Oregonians who are demanding that their government live within its means, protect essential services, and prioritize the people over partisan politics.
We Have a New Senate Republican Leader!
We are pleased to announce that Senator Bruce Starr (R–Dundee) has been elected as the new Leader of the Senate Republican Caucus. A seasoned legislator with over 16 years of experience, Senator Starr previously represented Hillsboro and surrounding areas in both the Oregon House and Senate from 1999 to 2014. He returned to the Senate earlier this year, filling the seat previously represented by former Senator Brian Boquist (R-Dallas).
Starr takes over from Senator Daniel Bonham, who announced his resignation from the Legislature effective October 5, 2025. We will miss Senator Bonham as he moves on from the Senate, and we look forward to working with Senator Starr as he leads us into the days ahead. Together, we will continue fighting for you and fighting for Oregon.
Capitol Phone for the Senate Republican Caucus: 503-986-1950
Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, S-323, Salem, Oregon 97301
Email the Senate Republican Leader, Bruce Starr:
Sen.BruceStarr@oregonlegislature.gov
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