#7 and #8 media swipes at Kotek gas tax

By Taxpayers Association of Oregon
OregonWatchdog.com

Bend Bulletin Editorial Board subtly criticized Kotek’ press conference: “we don’t like on background [press conferences]. Gov. Tina Kotek’s staff held a special “on background” meeting Wednesday for reporters … Term: On background. Translation: Well, that can mean different things to different people. We asked what the governor’s staff meant. We also asked why they were doing it that way. The staff member defined what “on background” meant. The staff could not be quoted without special permission. The why question went unanswered.” Read more here.

The Oregonian Editorial Board slams Kotek’s proposal deep flaws: “But the current proposal will do little to increase accountability for the state’s spending of transportation funds, despite supporters’ claims…There’s no talk about directing money from the proposed tax hikes to ODOT megaprojects, including the now $815 million (formerly $250 million) Abernethy Bridge along Interstate 205 or the $2 billion (formerly $450 million) Rose Quarter expansion along Interstate 5…. ODOT has a history of quietly moving funding around to prop up ever-escalating highway projects at the expense of other core responsibilities, such as preserving bridges. ODOT is also already using gas tax dollars to repay debt. Cortright questioned whether the state will carve off some of the new revenue as well to support additional bonds for projects…Accountability also means not building in problematic policies in the first place. Kotek should rescind her executive order insisting that contractors for major state projects negotiate benefits and other working conditions with labor unions for workers on the projects”.  The Editorial is very long and detailed and worth the full read here.

Read the #1 to #6 media swipes here.

The post #7 and #8 media swipes at Kotek gas tax first appeared on Oregon Catalyst.