Oregon Senate Republican Leader Daniel Bonham (R-The Dalles) responded to comments from Rep. Mark Gamba (D-Milwaukie), who suggested that voters are acting like “petulant children” for opposing tax increases needed to fund infrastructure projects.

OPB reports on Senate Bill 687, which would roll back a state law – created when lawmakers took up transportation funding in 2009 – that requires cities to seek voter approval before passing local fuel taxes. It would also allow every county in Oregon to implement or hike vehicle registration fees without a vote, an option currently only available to the four counties with more than 350,000 residents.

“Every year, cities and counties get poorer and poorer and their infrastructure gets older and older,” said Rep. Mark Gamba, a Democratic sponsor of the bill and the former mayor of Milwaukie. Gamba said voters too often act like “petulant children” standing in the way of taxes that are necessary to replace vital infrastructure like roads, sewage plants and libraries.

Former Governor Brown championed a transportation package for $5.3 billion in 2017 in additional taxes spread over 10 years. This funding was intended to address congestion, public transportation, road repairs, and bridge maintenance among other transportation needs.

Now here we are again with ODOT claiming they are broke needing $3.5 billion to cover counties and cities, even though the 2017 10- year package is still supposed to be funding transportation needs. Where has the $5.3 billion gone?

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

Leader Bonham said, “Fresh off the campaign trail, one thing was clear—Oregonians, regardless of party, are struggling with the rising cost of living. Instead of addressing these concerns, Democrat lawmakers are signaling their intent to raise taxes, proving just how out of touch they are with working families. Oregonians shouldn’t be ridiculed for rejecting tax hikes—especially when the real problem is Democrats’ failure to run government efficiently.”

Oregon’s state budget has more than doubled in the past 10 years, yet we face a cost of living 31% higher than the national average, the worst housing shortage of all 50 states, failing schools, and a homelessness and addiction crisis on our streets.

“Democrats may have a supermajority, but if their plan is to dismiss voters and push through tax hikes, we will oppose them every step of the way,” concluded Bonham.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2025-02-04 23:30:09

Last Update: 2025-02-04 23:59:58