More Gas Tax but Not For Transportation...?
Is a recommendation policy bound for the short legislative session?
Space Invaders is a 70’s video game in which Aliens are descending upon the rocket launchers that the player controls. If you are good, you might last a few rounds. But after a while it is impossible to avoid the onslaught… you will lose.
At times, tolling seems to be that onslaught that is descending upon Oregonians. It is growing in concept and the change in plans and rhetoric can be overwhelming.
Now, as the Short Session of Oregon’s Legislators is about to begin, we find a preliminary draft for affordable housing that might be going to a bill and may cost you more to drive. The proposed 50 cent a gallon additional tax will not fund transportation but rather housing.
This week’s montage of articles is bound to entertain your stress level, here on Oregontollingupdates.com
In Short
Article 1 - A Housing Production Advisory Council Policy Recommendations draft has surfaced this past week. It had been in Governor Kotek’s Affordable Housing ideas when she came into office, but this new draft seems destined for the Oregon Short Session in a few weeks time.
So what does this have to to with transportation? Exactly… but at the bottom of page 16 and top of 17, funding for the $3 Billion each year for the next 7 years, is a call to raise the gas tax 50 cents a gallon. This is not for transportation but for housing.
We have our thoughts… what are yours? Daniel@tualatinchamber.com
Article 2 - The Statewide Toll Advisory Committee (STRAC), in October of 2023, came up with a unique way to classify vehicles, basing the toll rate on how big it is. Think, I put my kayak on my SUV and have now become a big truck.
We are not saying this is a bad idea but know that it will lead to elevated charges due to classification errors. And from the stories we have seen from around the country, for disputed charges, this is bound to get ugly.
Article 3 - We like puzzles. And if you do, this interactive map is sure to enlighten you to the multiple ODOT projects going around the State of Oregon.
Clicking on a Blue Dot, on the map, opens up an area of which you can start to click on more Blue Dots to see specifics of a project. Look and click on the project, left side of screen, and you can see project costs, money spent and when a project will be completed.
Weekly Articles
The PDF below is the Housing Production Advisory Council’s recommendation
If your vehicle is "This Big" you will pay X amount for tolling