By Oregon State Representative E. Werner Reschke,
You Can’t Afford to Sit this One Out
As you may have heard, Governor Kotek has called for a Special Session to pass a transportation package that raises gas taxes, increases title and registration fees at the DMV, and implements a new Road Usage Charge (RUC). She even wants to take more money out of your paycheck by doubling the payroll tax. Her massive tax-and-spend proposal would cost families across Oregon an estimated $5.8 billion over 10 years.
The Governor and her political allies in Salem are doubling down on increasing the cost of living in our state at a time our communities can least afford it. You must tell them no.
They want you to think that if we don’t make life more expensive for everyday Oregonians, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) will have to lay off hundreds of workers and they won’t be able to keep you safe on the road — this is not true!
The Special Session hearing on the transportation bill is happening on Monday (8/25) at 3:00PM. Oregonians only have one day to make their voices heard.
Make Them Hear You!
Sign up to testify in person or virtually here!
Submit written testimony to the committee here!
Invite your friends and family to make their voice heard by sharing this link:
What’s in Kotek’s massive transportation package?
- Adds $0.06 to the gas tax
- Adds $139 to title fees
- Adds $42 to registration fees
- Doubles the payroll tax for the State Transportation Improvement Fund
- New $30 registration fee for EVs and fuel efficient vehicles
- Creates a Road User Charge (RUC) for EVs, Hybrids, and other fuel efficient vehicles.
- Empowers unelected bureaucrats at DAS to adjust gas taxes without legislative consent – meaning your taxes could go up without a single vote from the Legislature.
Key Points for Your Testimony:
- How raising gas and vehicle fees will affect your family or business
- The importance of maintaining safe roads without unnecessary financial strain
- The need for transparency and responsible budgeting before adding new costs
Example Testimony:
“I live in [City/Town], and I am deeply concerned about the transportation tax bill. Families like mine are already stretched thin. Any additional taxes and fees would make daily life unaffordable. Just like my family has had to, ODOT must also tighten its belt. ODOT should refocus its spending and prioritize keeping Oregonians safe on the road. Please consider alternatives that don’t financially punish Oregonians.”
ODOT can and should refocus their spending to prioritize core road maintenance – fill the potholes, plow the snow, and most importantly, keep Oregonians safe. With billion-dollar budget blunders, misguided priorities, runaway costs and unfinished projects, ODOT must first focus on rebuilding trust with Oregonians.
Sign up to speak or submit written testimony now, friend!
Decisions are being made in just days. Speak up before it’s too late.
The post Rep. Reschke: Act Now. Say NO to More Taxes first appeared on Oregon Catalyst.
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Author: In the news
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