Gov. Kotek addresses failed attempt to prevent massive cuts that could impact your drive

Oregon's transportation agency braces for budget cuts after state lawmakers rejected House Bill 2025, which sought to generate $11. 6 billion for infrastructure repairs. Governor Tina Kotek confirmed that cuts to the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) are unavoidable, jeopardizing essential services like road maintenance and wildfire response. Democratic Senate President Rob Wager highlighted the bill's critical nature, noting its potential to repair deteriorating roads. ODOT previously warned that without the bill's passage, over a thousand jobs could be lost, and road maintenance capacity would diminish.

Attempts to pass a scaled-down version met strong opposition, particularly from Beaverton Mayor Lacey Beaty, who criticized the package's justification. Kotek attributed the bill's failure to a lack of cooperation from Republican leadership, stressing the necessity of bipartisan support for transportation funding. House Speaker Julie Fahey acknowledged the session's accomplishments but noted the transportation package's failure overshadowed other legislative achievements. The proposed three-cent gas tax increase, tied to the bill, will also not be implemented.