Nope. No new taxes, and no increasing current road/gas taxes. Oregon (WE) pay some of the highest state taxes in the country. Our sloppy, corrupt, (yes, corrupt) state government takes our money without impunity and wastes it on "affordable housing," which isn't getting built and isn't affordable and isn't helping the "houseless"on the streets who need medical and psychiatric help. With a governor who pays them to stay on drugs. Our government is broken and adding new taxes to our tax-paying base isn't going to help that, CJ. Let's quit throwing good money after bad and squeeze the budget of the politicians who are bleeding us blind.
Totally get the frustration, and you’re not alone. But here’s the difference: this isn’t about social programs or new agencies. This is about keeping the roads from falling apart under our feet.
You don’t want to pay more? Fine, but then we’ve got to rewrite the rules, lock down the budget, and stop pretending potholes patch themselves. Either way, ignoring the problem isn’t conservative, it’s expensive.
Playing politics isn’t conservative either! You are missing the point that Kotek’s plan is inflationary and we need more inflation in Oregon like we need more Sea Lions eating our Salmon. There is a time when squeezing turnips won’t even give you borscht. Oregon is being taxed into oblivion. You are a newcomer to Oregon and have no clue as to how ODOT is a political tool. https://stevedarden.wordpress.com/2010/09/01/portlands-light-rail-mafia-the-neil-goldschmidt-machine/
A couple of thoughts...increasing the gas tax is a fix, but only impacts those of us with gas powered vehicles. Yes, there is a proposal to increase the license fees for EVs, but that is problematic. Lets say that I just renewed my 2 year plates on my EV, I won't have to pay ANY new tax for 2 years, putting the burden on everyone else. Also, they don't pay as much toward road use as fossil fueled vehicles (using the math you put in your last eblast) I'm super surprised that someone hasn't put together a class action law suit against the state for unfair tax practices. Maybe it's time! Also, I heard on the news this morning that only 1/2 the new gas tax will be going to ODOT. WHY?!! Where is the other 1/2 going? Again, it looks as though its a great opportunity for Salem to get more tax money and not use it for the need stated. And you wonder why people are angry....
You’re raising fair points. You’re right: a gas tax hike falls first on people still driving gas-powered cars. EV drivers contribute through registration fees, but those are clunky because they only hit every two years. That’s why I’ve been talking about moving toward a per-mile road usage charge—so everyone who drives, no matter the fuel, pays their share as they use the roads.
On the split: by law, every gas tax dollar is divided 50/30/20. Half goes to ODOT, 30% to counties, and 20% to cities. That isn’t Salem siphoning it off for something else, it’s in the Oregon Constitution, meant to keep local governments funded for their own roads and bridges.
The anger you describe comes from years of over-promising and under-delivering.
So now you show your true colors. Progressive Blue. Fifteen minute cities and mass transit, then you won’t have to worry about punishing people who choose to live in the country and have to drive trucks, and tractors. Tell me paying gas taxes per mile is not an invasion of privacy either? How will it be monitored??
That explains how we got to where we are today, but so far, the only solution I hear is 'give us more money'. In six months, the unions will be demanding more, more, more, and ODOT upper echelon will be demanding more, more, more. Potholes will still be potholes.
Significant persuasive advocacy. Now can you formulate equally eloquent arguments aimed at getting rid of programs that may sound like good ideas but should be eliminated to REDUCE the Oregon budget?
What will plug the gap if, as you say, the $.06 a gallon won’t ultimately solve our ODOT debt problems? ODOT knew the budget was a billion dollar shortfall in 2023, but taxpayers only heard about it in 2025. What is the plan for fixing the lack of transparency? It smacks of corruption and even Democrats understand that. How is it that you as a business owner don’t seem to want to discuss it other than to blame inflation? Isn’t adding a $.06 increase in the fuel tax also inflationary?
I’ve said publicly that the system needs more transparency and tighter controls. We should’ve sounded the alarm sooner, and we need real reforms to prevent this kind of mess again.
As for the 6¢, it’s not a solution, it’s a stopgap. It keeps the plows running while we rewrite the rules. But you’re also right: if we don’t fix how ODOT approves and manages projects, no amount of tax will be enough. I’m not defending the old system. I’m trying to overhaul it and keep the roads open.
As soon as you give them what they want, the $.06, it will be business as usual. Stop the nonsense and work as a party to convince conservative
Democrats that they are also being held hostage along with voters and laid-off ODOT employees. Put together a plan where there is a balanced budget and basic services, no building, without the ransom they desire, the tax, and you will have broke their hold. Grow the power you have with conservative Democrats who see things as they are. It’s all about Tina, all the time. We don’t want the Goldsmidt machine like the Newsom machine taxing people to the point of moving them out of the state. We can have good roads without the inflation that will result from the Kotek plan. She is moving fast, and her list of priorities must be loudly rejected through a reasonable plan.
We need a detailed plan other than Kotek’s plan. Having more frequent audits and doubling payroll taxes doesn’t do a thing to grow trust in ODOT. Where is a bullet point list with expected results explaining how the GOP sees each area where there could be cuts in spending? Kotek is only addressing how she can raise taxes, punish EV owners and people who want to purchase cars. No one seems to understand that when fuel is less expensive people drive more, and SPEND more, which automatically raises Oregon VAT taxes. Minority Leader Christine Drazen had a good suggestion, “Rather than proposing new taxes, Drazan said lawmakers should instead be assessing changes to the law that would grant ODOT greater flexibility in how it uses the money it already has. This is a massive agency,” Drazan said. “They have more than enough money to perform these basic functions if we take away these restrictions, and just give them the flexibility to be able to prioritize their money as they need to (and) keep our roads safe.” This is a start, but voters who are tightening their own belts because of inflation, want to see government do the same. Especially with fuel prices much lower in other states, it makes voters angry.
Just 6 cents more to give breathing room, but nothing changes and next years here we are again with the government having it's hand out for more! Cut the bloat and no more taxes! Oregon is already 5th in the nation in taxes!
no. No. NO. We expect this kind of rationalizing from Democrats. Exorbitant taxes and fees are destroying the hopes and dreams of Oregonians. They are reducing Oregon from glory to garbage. Are you saying that state revenues, which increased by billions in the last biennium, can't find money to fix, maintain, and build roads? What is wrong with you? Be honest and change parties. Please.
Oregon’s nouveau Mitt Romney Rino. CJ has only lived in the state for a very few years and has no clue what conservative Oregonians want. They would run him out of town on a rail if he lived in conservative eastern Oregon.
How about before raising the Gas tax. We cut alot of the BS Red Tape that does nothing to help bring costs lower to build things and instead makes the costs Higher. Also stop providing sanctuary to Illegal Immigrants. you don't want someone to Break into your house do you? they Broke into this country. they need to be dealt with and deported not provided money and insurance and all that that costs money that can be spent on Road maintenance and veterans Homelessness. Stopping the Sanctuary stuff for Illegals will free up millions being spent on them.
70 million plus spent annually on 364 DEI positions in Oregon. We don't hear a peep about trimming some of that fat now, do we? Not to mention the cost of maintaining the sanctuary status of Oregon and protecting "undocumented immigrants". We get it, you probably wouldn't get re-elected if you started beating the drums of cutting costs. But you are a Republican, aren't you? Or is that simply to get the rural vote?
You gotta love the title of this post, “The Cost of Doing Nothing, Repeatedly.” And then CJ wants to solve the problem by rewarding ODOT with more money. Now that Trump has made taxpayers 10% owners of Intel, there will be more pressure coming on Kotek’s progressive agenda. The purchase of Intel is a security issue, but Trump’s leverage with the board will make an impact on Oregon’s political future. https://www.intc.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/1748/intel-and-trump-administration-reach-historic-agreement-to
The case for a six-cent gas tax leans on Oregon’s transportation mess: potholes, budget gaps, and a borrowing “doom loop.” But new taxes aren’t the solution; they’re a lazy hit on Oregonians already struggling with inflation. ODOT’s $1.1 billion blunder wasn’t “business as usual”. It was a failure of accountability, with funds siphoned to megaprojects and consultants instead of basic upkeep. We need efficiency, not more taxpayer cash: slash waste, redirect existing revenue to repairs, and overhaul rigid formulas. Indexing the gas tax to inflation could’ve helped, but endless hikes aren’t the answer. Government must live within its means, not bloat this broken system.
Labeling this tax “breathing room” is absurd. It just prolongs the cycle of higher fees, bonds, and future increases. If it fails, that’s an opportunity for real fixes: independent audits, halting non-essential projects, and holding politicians accountable. Trucks already overpay, so stop targeting them or drivers. We don’t need more revenue to “get ahead”; we need smarter spending to stop the bleeding without draining citizens. Oregon deserves roads fixed through fiscal discipline, not tax grabs sold as pragmatism. Any politician pushing these new taxes in Oregon is siding against the overburdened taxpayer and should resign.
😱 It will do harm to farmers, ranchers, delivery businesses, long-haul truckers, etc. We can Not continue to penalize the workers keeping our state going.
Nope. No new taxes, and no increasing current road/gas taxes. Oregon (WE) pay some of the highest state taxes in the country. Our sloppy, corrupt, (yes, corrupt) state government takes our money without impunity and wastes it on "affordable housing," which isn't getting built and isn't affordable and isn't helping the "houseless"on the streets who need medical and psychiatric help. With a governor who pays them to stay on drugs. Our government is broken and adding new taxes to our tax-paying base isn't going to help that, CJ. Let's quit throwing good money after bad and squeeze the budget of the politicians who are bleeding us blind.
Totally get the frustration, and you’re not alone. But here’s the difference: this isn’t about social programs or new agencies. This is about keeping the roads from falling apart under our feet.
You don’t want to pay more? Fine, but then we’ve got to rewrite the rules, lock down the budget, and stop pretending potholes patch themselves. Either way, ignoring the problem isn’t conservative, it’s expensive.
Playing politics isn’t conservative either! You are missing the point that Kotek’s plan is inflationary and we need more inflation in Oregon like we need more Sea Lions eating our Salmon. There is a time when squeezing turnips won’t even give you borscht. Oregon is being taxed into oblivion. You are a newcomer to Oregon and have no clue as to how ODOT is a political tool. https://stevedarden.wordpress.com/2010/09/01/portlands-light-rail-mafia-the-neil-goldschmidt-machine/
A couple of thoughts...increasing the gas tax is a fix, but only impacts those of us with gas powered vehicles. Yes, there is a proposal to increase the license fees for EVs, but that is problematic. Lets say that I just renewed my 2 year plates on my EV, I won't have to pay ANY new tax for 2 years, putting the burden on everyone else. Also, they don't pay as much toward road use as fossil fueled vehicles (using the math you put in your last eblast) I'm super surprised that someone hasn't put together a class action law suit against the state for unfair tax practices. Maybe it's time! Also, I heard on the news this morning that only 1/2 the new gas tax will be going to ODOT. WHY?!! Where is the other 1/2 going? Again, it looks as though its a great opportunity for Salem to get more tax money and not use it for the need stated. And you wonder why people are angry....
You’re raising fair points. You’re right: a gas tax hike falls first on people still driving gas-powered cars. EV drivers contribute through registration fees, but those are clunky because they only hit every two years. That’s why I’ve been talking about moving toward a per-mile road usage charge—so everyone who drives, no matter the fuel, pays their share as they use the roads.
On the split: by law, every gas tax dollar is divided 50/30/20. Half goes to ODOT, 30% to counties, and 20% to cities. That isn’t Salem siphoning it off for something else, it’s in the Oregon Constitution, meant to keep local governments funded for their own roads and bridges.
The anger you describe comes from years of over-promising and under-delivering.
So now you show your true colors. Progressive Blue. Fifteen minute cities and mass transit, then you won’t have to worry about punishing people who choose to live in the country and have to drive trucks, and tractors. Tell me paying gas taxes per mile is not an invasion of privacy either? How will it be monitored??
That explains how we got to where we are today, but so far, the only solution I hear is 'give us more money'. In six months, the unions will be demanding more, more, more, and ODOT upper echelon will be demanding more, more, more. Potholes will still be potholes.
Cut the dei and all of the other waste. NO NEW TAXES!
Significant persuasive advocacy. Now can you formulate equally eloquent arguments aimed at getting rid of programs that may sound like good ideas but should be eliminated to REDUCE the Oregon budget?
He just got his payoff. CJ is running for the Mr/Ms/They/Them congeniality award. https://www.tillamookcountypioneer.net/oregon-dept-of-transportation-odot-smoother-safer-u-s-101-through-garibaldi-odot-project-improves-travel-for-all-through-downtown/
What will plug the gap if, as you say, the $.06 a gallon won’t ultimately solve our ODOT debt problems? ODOT knew the budget was a billion dollar shortfall in 2023, but taxpayers only heard about it in 2025. What is the plan for fixing the lack of transparency? It smacks of corruption and even Democrats understand that. How is it that you as a business owner don’t seem to want to discuss it other than to blame inflation? Isn’t adding a $.06 increase in the fuel tax also inflationary?
I’ve said publicly that the system needs more transparency and tighter controls. We should’ve sounded the alarm sooner, and we need real reforms to prevent this kind of mess again.
As for the 6¢, it’s not a solution, it’s a stopgap. It keeps the plows running while we rewrite the rules. But you’re also right: if we don’t fix how ODOT approves and manages projects, no amount of tax will be enough. I’m not defending the old system. I’m trying to overhaul it and keep the roads open.
Here is a little background on the Neil Goldsmidt machine for you newcomers: Here is a little background on Neil Goldsmidt for you newcomers on his successful machine for all those who think ODOT works for The People: https://stevedarden.wordpress.com/2010/09/01/portlands-light-rail-mafia-the-neil-goldschmidt-machine/
As soon as you give them what they want, the $.06, it will be business as usual. Stop the nonsense and work as a party to convince conservative
Democrats that they are also being held hostage along with voters and laid-off ODOT employees. Put together a plan where there is a balanced budget and basic services, no building, without the ransom they desire, the tax, and you will have broke their hold. Grow the power you have with conservative Democrats who see things as they are. It’s all about Tina, all the time. We don’t want the Goldsmidt machine like the Newsom machine taxing people to the point of moving them out of the state. We can have good roads without the inflation that will result from the Kotek plan. She is moving fast, and her list of priorities must be loudly rejected through a reasonable plan.
We need a detailed plan other than Kotek’s plan. Having more frequent audits and doubling payroll taxes doesn’t do a thing to grow trust in ODOT. Where is a bullet point list with expected results explaining how the GOP sees each area where there could be cuts in spending? Kotek is only addressing how she can raise taxes, punish EV owners and people who want to purchase cars. No one seems to understand that when fuel is less expensive people drive more, and SPEND more, which automatically raises Oregon VAT taxes. Minority Leader Christine Drazen had a good suggestion, “Rather than proposing new taxes, Drazan said lawmakers should instead be assessing changes to the law that would grant ODOT greater flexibility in how it uses the money it already has. This is a massive agency,” Drazan said. “They have more than enough money to perform these basic functions if we take away these restrictions, and just give them the flexibility to be able to prioritize their money as they need to (and) keep our roads safe.” This is a start, but voters who are tightening their own belts because of inflation, want to see government do the same. Especially with fuel prices much lower in other states, it makes voters angry.
Just 6 cents more to give breathing room, but nothing changes and next years here we are again with the government having it's hand out for more! Cut the bloat and no more taxes! Oregon is already 5th in the nation in taxes!
no. No. NO. We expect this kind of rationalizing from Democrats. Exorbitant taxes and fees are destroying the hopes and dreams of Oregonians. They are reducing Oregon from glory to garbage. Are you saying that state revenues, which increased by billions in the last biennium, can't find money to fix, maintain, and build roads? What is wrong with you? Be honest and change parties. Please.
Oregon’s nouveau Mitt Romney Rino. CJ has only lived in the state for a very few years and has no clue what conservative Oregonians want. They would run him out of town on a rail if he lived in conservative eastern Oregon.
How about before raising the Gas tax. We cut alot of the BS Red Tape that does nothing to help bring costs lower to build things and instead makes the costs Higher. Also stop providing sanctuary to Illegal Immigrants. you don't want someone to Break into your house do you? they Broke into this country. they need to be dealt with and deported not provided money and insurance and all that that costs money that can be spent on Road maintenance and veterans Homelessness. Stopping the Sanctuary stuff for Illegals will free up millions being spent on them.
70 million plus spent annually on 364 DEI positions in Oregon. We don't hear a peep about trimming some of that fat now, do we? Not to mention the cost of maintaining the sanctuary status of Oregon and protecting "undocumented immigrants". We get it, you probably wouldn't get re-elected if you started beating the drums of cutting costs. But you are a Republican, aren't you? Or is that simply to get the rural vote?
P.S. : recognize that Gov. Kotek supports Sanctuary State baloney , and jeopardizes Federal Funds used for ODOT projects.
🎯🎯🎯
You gotta love the title of this post, “The Cost of Doing Nothing, Repeatedly.” And then CJ wants to solve the problem by rewarding ODOT with more money. Now that Trump has made taxpayers 10% owners of Intel, there will be more pressure coming on Kotek’s progressive agenda. The purchase of Intel is a security issue, but Trump’s leverage with the board will make an impact on Oregon’s political future. https://www.intc.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/1748/intel-and-trump-administration-reach-historic-agreement-to
No new taxes. Find a way to D.O.G.E. on the State level first and foremost.
The case for a six-cent gas tax leans on Oregon’s transportation mess: potholes, budget gaps, and a borrowing “doom loop.” But new taxes aren’t the solution; they’re a lazy hit on Oregonians already struggling with inflation. ODOT’s $1.1 billion blunder wasn’t “business as usual”. It was a failure of accountability, with funds siphoned to megaprojects and consultants instead of basic upkeep. We need efficiency, not more taxpayer cash: slash waste, redirect existing revenue to repairs, and overhaul rigid formulas. Indexing the gas tax to inflation could’ve helped, but endless hikes aren’t the answer. Government must live within its means, not bloat this broken system.
Labeling this tax “breathing room” is absurd. It just prolongs the cycle of higher fees, bonds, and future increases. If it fails, that’s an opportunity for real fixes: independent audits, halting non-essential projects, and holding politicians accountable. Trucks already overpay, so stop targeting them or drivers. We don’t need more revenue to “get ahead”; we need smarter spending to stop the bleeding without draining citizens. Oregon deserves roads fixed through fiscal discipline, not tax grabs sold as pragmatism. Any politician pushing these new taxes in Oregon is siding against the overburdened taxpayer and should resign.
Dipshit rhino's are worse than an actual democrat
Well said, bravo
😱 It will do harm to farmers, ranchers, delivery businesses, long-haul truckers, etc. We can Not continue to penalize the workers keeping our state going.