Oregon bills HB 3055 and HB 3065 were introduced in the Oregon legislature in 2021, with the likely intent of opening the way to allow the government to toll particular roads in Oregon.

The Kate Brown administration has been attempting to find and collect revenue in as many ways and places that it can, so the ability to toll would allow the government a way to manage transportation even more than it currently does.

Critics say that the imposition of tolls would disproportionately impact low-income families and communities.

HB 3065 died in the Joint Committee On Transportation. The Chief Sponsor of that bill was Democrat gubernatorial candidate Tina Kotek, whose recently resigned her position as Speaker of the House.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

The history of tolling bans highlights the mistrust of the practice, yet out of touch Oregon Democrats on the supermajority have neglected to acknowledge the distaste of the people for it.

As the internal combustion engine became widespread at the beginning of the last century, the first law providing federal aid to states for construction and maintenance of roads was enacted in 1916. HR 7617 from the 64th Congress was passed out of the newly-minted House Committee on Roads with no restrictions on federal money being used for toll roads.

But during the debate on the floor of the House Representative John Farr (R-PA) offered an amendment to the bill, appending a restriction at the end of the appropriation which said, “Provided, That no portion of this appropriation shall be used in the construction, improvement, maintenance, or repair of any toll road.”

HB 3055 was signed into Oregon law on July 27th, 2021. It was introduced at the request of Representative Susan McLain (D-Hillsboro) and Senator Lee Beyer (D-Eugene).


--Bruce Armstrong

Post Date: 2022-04-22 11:26:20

Last Update: 2022-04-22 21:08:00