Oregon’s 24-member Home Republican Caucus has launched a DOGE-like funding framework that makes it clear they consider the “core mission” of the state’s transportation division is to solely assist automobile and truck drivers.
In a press launch yesterday, Home Republicans outlined round $730 million in cuts to the Oregon Division of Transportation (ODOT) finances that, in the event that they grew to become regulation, would have immense detrimental impacts on how individuals get round our state and would decrease the standard of life for hundreds of Oregonians.
The transfer is available in response to a framework launched by Oregon Democrats one month in the past.
As only one instance of the draconian cuts, Home Republicans would slash $306 million from the Statewide Transportation Enchancment Fund (STIF) per biennium, an quantity that might primarily wipe out this system completely. The STIF was established by the Oregon Legislature in 2017 to fund bus service statewide (it may possibly’t be used on gentle rail). ODOT raises STIF income from a 0.1% payroll tax, cigarette taxes, ID card charges and a non-highway fuel taxes (utilized to fuels for issues like ATVs and farm gear).
To place the worth of this funding supply in a neighborhood context, TriMet has acquired about $90 million a yr from the STIF since 2023. 52% of that funding went towards service expansions, low-income fare assist, security and safety, and bus cease upgrades. The STIF can be essential for rural transit, and it contains particular set-asides for bus service that connects rural cities throughout Oregon.
To Home Republicans, the “core mission” of ODOT is “sustaining secure and dependable roads and bridges.” Primarily based on their funding proposal, Republicans have made it clear they consider solely automobile and truck drivers belong on these roads and that anybody who isn’t inside one doesn’t have the fitting to secure journey.
Their plan would additionally minimize completely ODOT’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Program, the Oregon Neighborhood Paths Program, the Transportation Choices Program, the Nice Streets Program (which funds full avenue remedies on state highways), the Passenger Rail Program, the Historic Columbia River Freeway and State Path challenge, and extra.
Republicans additionally need to get rid of the Automobile Privilege Tax, a 0.5% tax on new automobile gross sales that raises $35 million for applications just like the Clear Automobile Rebate administered by the Division of Environmental High quality and ODOT’s Multimodal Lively Transportation Fund.
Whereas Republicans need to get rid of a tax on new automobile consumers, they don’t lengthen the identical courtesy for people who purchase new bicycles. Regardless of their intention to get rid of the Oregon Neighborhood Paths Program, their plan doesn’t name for eliminating the bicycle excise tax that funds it.
“For years, ODOT has funded concepts as an alternative of infrastructure,” mentioned Rep. Shelly Boshart Davis, a Republican and co-owner of her household’s trucking enterprise, a press release. And Oregon Home Republican Chief Christine Drazan mentioned, “This plan protects Oregon households from extra tax will increase by requiring ODOT to chop wasteful spending that doesn’t align with core capabilities.”
In response to ODOT, almost 20% of Oregon households use transit at the least as soon as per week and 31% of Oregonians usually are not licensed drivers. One out of each 10 Oregonians of driving age would not have also have a drivers license. Whereas their plan would possibly shield households from tax will increase, it might rob them of the liberty to decide on how they get round and power extra individuals right into a mode of transportation that prices a mean of $11,000 per yr to make use of and preserve.
Advocates with Transfer Oregon Ahead have denounced the Republican framework. “In a time when inflation and tariffs are hitting working individuals onerous, Republicans are proposing transit cuts that might make it more durable for low-income Oregonians to get to work, faculty, or the physician,” mentioned Joel Iboa, Govt Director of Oregon Simply Transition Alliance, who known as the proposal’s backers, “DOGE-wannabes who’re pushing outdated, dangerous concepts.”
Govt Director of The Road Belief Sarah Iannarone put the cuts in stark phrases. “In case you defund the applications that preserve our youngsters and our grandparents secure crossing the road, extra of them will die. We should spend money on strolling, biking, rolling, and transit for all Oregonians, and provides them freedom to get round.”
Now that each events have laid out their framework, we look forward to the precise funding bundle invoice to be launched. Oregon lawmakers are anticipated to unveil the invoice on Might fifteenth with public hearings in Salem to start the next week.
— 2025 Republican Transportation Stabilization Proposal
