[Editor's note: Updates added with my apologies]

Is Governor Kotek thinking the public wouldn’t read her slight of hand maneuver, raising the gas tax increase 12-cents per gallon in HB 2025, then reducing it to 6-cents to make voters think she is giving them a break. Republican legislators should have caught it, but they are more interested in the message they will send to voters if they participate to meet quorum, and now they are being punked. Yes, they are victims of being "humiliated in disrespect".

LC 2: Section 17 (1) To compensate this state partially for the use of its highways, an excise tax hereby is imposed at the rate of [34] 46 cents per gallon on the use of fuel in a motor vehicle. Passage of the 34-cent gas tax in 2017 included increases to 40-cents effective January 1, 2024.

About eight Republicans are still planning to increase their disrespect to voters by giving quorum to the special session. It doesn’t take Common Core math to figure out that ODOT’s half of the 6-cent increase is needed to give ODOT employees a 6% pay increase. While private sector jobs are moving out-of-state or just plain closing doors, state jobs keep multiplying in a cook-the-books effect to hide the truth from the public.

Representative Alek Skarlatos (Canyonville) said on I Spy Radio, that Unions have government so locked up that making ODOT accountable is impossible without breaking that strong hold. Nothing can hide the pain in the pocket book, especially for low-income families who will be hit the hardest. Even buying a car is hit by the 12-cent gas tax increase used in calculating the license tax.

Property values are down and Oregon ranks number 46 in the highest foreclosure rates in the U.S. It could very well be the top foreclosure state were it not for state legislation providing some protection.

Oregonians will have another blow on their pay checks. LC 2 bill doubles the employment tax deduction. Channel 8 news poll indicates 82% of Oregonians are against taxing to fund ODOT. All legislators should be concerned how that will translate into votes if the special session proceeds.

Governor Kotek’s fingerprints are all over the LC 2 bill. The bill shifts the Transportation Director to be appointed by the Governor and “serve at the pleasure of the Governor.” In 2030, ODOT can raise the gas tax to fund whatever the governor wants. The accountable funds are those dedicated to a project and everything else is free game.

Even more troubling, LC 2 says that beginning in 2030, if the Legislature fails to act, the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) could hike fuel taxes and weight-mile rates administratively. That means unelected bureaucrats — not your elected representatives — would have the power to raise your taxes.

It is also questionable whether this special session meets the requirements of an emergency required to call a special session. LC 2 is 91 pages of restructuring for accountability, which does not necessitate an emergency. Republican leadership has already proven ODOT can be given the necessary funding from the Emergency Board without tax increases. Leadership and legislators seem to be shooting themselves in the foot attempting to raise taxes and damaging their reputation when they should be appeasing Oregonians in preparation for federal funding cuts.

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

There will be a standoff on August 29-30 – Unions at the south door of the capitol vs Oregonians at the north door. Unions are there representing the 500-700 employees the Governor is using as bait, or maybe they are there to protect ODOT’s negotiated pay increases regardless if their workers will also feel the pain of a 6-cent gas increase and an employment tax increase.

The north side will be the tell-all for the next election – Time to Take Oregon Back. Oregonians have had enough of the chaos. Bring signs and rally for:

• No more new taxes
• No more sanctuary policies for illegal migrants
• No more land grabs and government overreach
• No more corruption and backroom deals with unions
• Demand better education for forgotten children
• Stop radical gender surgeries on minors

Contact legislators asking them to refuse quorum and forget the bribes. Bribed funding may help one project in the district, but LC 2 will hurt every person in the district and state.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2025-08-22 17:24:31

Last Update: 2025-08-23 19:23:59