Oregon Republicans present opposition proposals to Governor’s ODOT funding
By Griffin Beach on Friday, August 29th, 2025 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories
SALEM – As the Oregon Legislature convenes a special session Friday to try and figure out transportation funding, Senator Daniel Bonham (R-The Dalles) and Representative Christine Drazan (R-Canby) held a press conference to lay out Republican proposals in opposition to Governor Tina Kotek’s proposed funding plan.
Kotek is proposing raising the state’s gas tax to 46 cents, raising car registration fees by $42, increasing title fees by $139 and doubling the state’s 0.1 percent payroll tax for transit to fund the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and prevent planned layoffs. Kotek also proposes requiring drivers of electric vehicles or highly-fuel-efficient vehicles to pay a $30 surcharge.
The press conference started with Oregon citizens talking about how additional taxes have already hurt their businesses and made living day-to-day more difficult.
“We are struggling with insurance rates skyrocketing, fuel that is still high and trying not to take it out on our customers,” said Sylvia Schriber who owns a towing and automotive business in Tillamook.
Drazan said House and Senate Republicans planned to offer an amendment in committee that would allow funding streams that are currently restricted from funding ODOT maintenance and operations to be lifted. She said this will allow ODOT to hold off on the planned layoffs due to funding shortfall. ODOT already delivered 483 layoff notices in July with 12 in Umatilla County and 2 in Morrow County.
“We absolutely believe that there is a way to solve this problem without burdening Oregonians with more costs,” said Drazan.
Photo L to R: Cameron Hedlund, Sylvia Schriber, Xochitl Munoz owner of La Margarita in Salem, Daniel Bonham, Emily Matero owner of Zen Bodywork in Portland, Christine Drazan. Screenshot of video feed from today’s press conference.
Below are both the House and Senate proposals:
