Cyrus. You argue a reasoned, mature case for responsible adults owning and supporting an infrastructure that all of us use. And we all need to understand that these are OUR roads and bridges. They belong to us. And we need to maintain them as we would our own homes.
My only concern with your stance is, as an electric car owner, I would not feel the pinch at the pumps. Where will those of us be adding to the coffers?
Great question, Susan. The per-mile tax on EVs would be collected through the existing OReGO system. Drivers either install a simple plug-in device in their car or use a smartphone app that tracks mileage. It only counts miles driven in Oregon, and drivers get credit for any gas tax they already pay (in the case of hybrids). The point is to make sure EV owners are contributing their fair share to maintain the roads, just like everyone else who pays at the pump.
One of the issues with trying to tax ev's is an invasion of privacy and I do believe it will end up being challenged in court no matter how it is handled. Wouldn't it be less invasive to charge a percent tax at the charging stations; then the only invasion of privacy would be how much power a homeowner is using for EV purposes (in theory). Also, wouldn't this most closely reflect the current gas tax?
We already pay over $4.00 at the pump now in Tillamook?? When in other states there paying less the $3.00 at there pumps?? Our State Government Needs to Cut Unnecessary Spending, Unnecessary (ya I know DEI) Hiring. We moved to Tillamook 12 yrs ago, Portland was a beautiful city, the roads were fine (except hwy6) there were no noticeable homeless camps (now there everywhere) there was no Panting Tags on bridges, signs, buildings, fences?? So What Has Happened to Your City and Towns in The Past 12 Yrs???? It Certainly The People In Charge of This State?? Raising gas Taxes Will Distract the Real Reason and Destroy the Already Struggling Hard Working Citizens of This Beautiful State.
Kudos to you for speaking directly and clearly with accurate info about this issue. I hope all your readers of all political parties will consider the options facing Oregonians. I especially hope they will respond with their own thoughts, instead of parroting Fox News, GOP, and social media slogans.
One of your readers complained about "Waste, fraud, and abuse," which certainly describes the current leadership of the federal government. However, I can't figure out how ODOT can abuse a bridge or highway, unless it's to neglect it so badly that it collapses.
Thank you for the kind words. I’ll keep laying out the facts as plainly as I can, and I agree, we need real conversations about solutions, not just slogans.
Mr. Javadi we elected you to represent all of us and to protect our livelihoods.
While your presentation is good and well thought. The reality is that you just reinforce the wanton waste that our government has embraced for much too long. A number of times you mentioned Highway six and getting it fixed when odot has flat out stated that no funds will be diverted to highway six.
Odot has wasted millions on solar farms on rails to trails projects cleaning up the homeless mess that our state has neglected to deal with. We are the people who have elected ,you are telling you that no we do not want more taxes. We do not want more fees . Please, sir, represent the people who elected you and had faith in you, not the spend More government that is well entrenched.
I hear you, and I share your frustration with wasteful spending and misplaced priorities. I’ve pushed ODOT on exactly those issues, and I’ll keep pressing for accountability and for Highway 6 to finally get the attention it deserves.
But the maintenance hole we’re facing isn’t created by solar farms or side projects. It’s driven by inflation, shrinking gas tax revenue, and dollars already locked up by law.
You elected me to be honest, even when it’s unpopular.
And the hard truth is this: without new revenue, the roads we all depend on won’t be maintained. I’ll keep fighting to make sure every dollar is spent wisely, but pretending we can fix this without new funding won’t get Highway 6 or any other road repaired.
I am curious why you say that needless spending doesn't "create" the maintenance hole. Why not? Are you saying if money is available (by not being spent on wasteful projects) that it just won't be spent at all and thus maintenance still won't happen? Most of us understand that there is a limited amount of dollars in the pot. So we understand that if we don't spend money in one area, it can be redirected to something of higher value and priority.
My experience with government is that funding is intentionally (seemingly) cut from the things that people will feel the most; in the past typically libraries and police, while plenty of spending that people don't care about is done that could have been cut or redirected to what people actually care about. Politicians know that people will cave after a while of dealing with no money to deal with the things they actually care about.
I don't think anyone is disagreeing with the need for maintenance. What we disagree with is the seeming willingness to ignore waste, fraud, and/or mismanagement. If the system is not fixed then why bother increasing taxes? I would rather have a broken government than a fat government and poverty stricken people...I don't think those are our only options but they seem to be the two options the State of Oregon is pushing on us. I for one am sick of the government destroying our economy and system with known terrible policies (it's been going on for a long time); I am happy to see the state government "crash and burn" rather than rewarding their poor decisions and choices so they can continue to do more harm.
Dr. Javadi once you are in a spin do you pull back on the stick with all your might to raise your nose because in a normal situation that will gain your altitude back or do you push the nose down against all your instincts and live for another day. Thats the way I see this government of oregon. Prepare for the crash because thats where we are headed. Please reconsider this tax . Make Tina lay off the road crews and find out her popularity isn't so hot. I feel bad for the workers but thats tough love. Nobody felt badly about running me out of the woods hauling logs. That cost me 13 years trucking over the road living out of truckstops. We have to say stop this nonsence and pull ourselves out of this government dive. Thanx for the time.
You gave two options: cut our way out or raise revenue. I have a third option: fix the system and government waste that plagues our entire state at every level of government. While it may be true that fixing the system won't fix the budgetary issues, Oregonians won't be happy with raising taxes just to waste those dollars on a broken system. At the end of the day, six cents is not that big (at least by itself) of an increase but what most Oregonians recognize is that raising it six cents won't fix the problem and if the problem isn't fixed then why raise the taxes in the first place?
Until the problem of misuse of funds and misappropriation of money, given to odot is addressed and corrected, there should not be one cent more given to them.
If you and I ran our businesses, the way the state is ran we would both be bankrupt.
Let’s fix the problems before we are taxed anymore. And while it may cause short term discomfort, it would give us a couple more years to get this all completely straightened out.
O(nce again you say nothing about changing how it is operated. We do NOT have a revenue problem we have a spending, waste, and outright fraud problem! You defrauded and lied to Oregonians to get elected! You should be honorable and just step down!
You are quite correct on all counts - nobody relishes paying higher taxes and fees, but as Oliver Wendell Holmes once opined, they are the price one pays for living in a civil society. I venture that many of the same folks opposing this legislation shake their heads at every pothole they hit, shake their heads at every detour, bridge closure, or roadways less than pristine. You have my support and my vote.
Thank you for the encouragement. You’re right, none of us like paying more, but safe roads don’t come free, and ignoring the problem only makes it worse. I appreciate your support.
"Option 2: Face the music, raise revenue, fix the imbalance, and actually fund maintenance so ODOT and local governments can keep roads safe."
They'll raise the revenue. And apparently you'll help them because you just voted to dump $6 billion on the backs of Oregonians who are already suffering. What they'll never do is fix the imbalance. Or fix anything, for that matter. And they'll never properly fund ODOT's core requirement of actually making our roads safe.
And they'll be back next session asking for more money. With more promises that "this time we'll fix it." When past experience tells us that they won't.
If the voting citizens of your district have any sense at all, you won't be there to help screw us over.
I have been pleasantly surprised at your logical, common sense explanations of your positions on various issues affecting Oregon. I have not been surprised by the knee jerk responses by some of your constituents who are unwilling to learn the facts for themselves and just keep repeating the prevailing party line of cutting funding for unnecessary services and determining which services fall under that category. Services cost money; the government provides services that individuals, local communities and states cannot fund on their own. People think taxes are high now. Imagine how high the tolls would be on the roads if that was solely how they were funded. How about hospitals, libraries, schools, etc.? How many communities could afford to build the necessary infrastructure to supply these services? How many families would be forced to forego these and other services if they were fee only? I chose not to have children, but I have willingly paid taxes to support schools, libraries and other services to help create an educated population. I am really fed up with the people who seem to be saying "I benefitted from those services, but I don't want to pass it on to others, even the next generation." As you pointed out, letting the state "crash and burn", (as Jeff Wagnall put it in his post), will just increase the amount of funds required to make the needed repairs and upgrades. Makes sense, cut off your nose to spite your face!
Personally I’d prefer a per mile system. Based on vehicle weight initially. Eventually adding trailer hub odometers as well. It would be a use toll nothing more. Maybe something like the fastpass tolling could be used as well to track out of state miles so you wouldn’t be charged tax on those. Also a mileage tax on metal studded tires that eat pavement. I don’t know I’m just spitballing. I don’t expect a vegetarian to pay for the hatcheries that provide the fish our family likes to eat but I certainly don’t mind buying the license and tags. It just seems more fair to charge by weight and use and not subsidize. It’s a cost of choice and or business. Pay to play!
I voted for you and was very hopeful that you would stand up for the people here in our area. But you turned out to be a Democrat in disguise. And I just cannot believe how willing you are just to roll over for whatever goes on in Salem.
When a pragmatic Democrat with a backbone and true compassion for taxpayers runs against you and wins, I’m going to be asking you why you didn’t deep read what you call talking points? Stick with filling dental potholes, because you know nothing about the corruption of ODOT.
I get that you disagree with me, and that’s fair. But my responsibility is to deal with the math and the structure in front of us, not just repeat what people want to hear. I’ve spent hundreds of hours digging into ODOT’s budget and the proposals on the table, and I’ll keep pushing for accountability and reform where it’s needed. But at the end of the day, plows, asphalt, and paint don’t come free, and ignoring that reality won’t fix the roads.
This fuel tax and increase in car registration hits the working class much harder than those who are wealthy like you and those who are poor and receive welfare. The almost 18% of Oregonians on public assistance will likely get an increase in that assistance to pay for the inflation of goods due to fuel taxes, but working class people who are defined as having less than a four year college degree and who have to drive to work and buy their own groceries will get hit hard. That is 44% of the population of Oregon. So are you planning to give your employees raises to help them through the inflation you are creating by voting for this behemoth gift to a corrupt ODOT?
Javadi lied to get elected, he is not really for the working class, if he was, he would be fighting increasing taxes on the working people! Just like all the dems, he is working hard to negate any tax Breaks President Trump is trying to give us.
So true Denice! We expect some Dems will lie for power and prestige. Conservatives have great noses and usually can smell a rat. This one uses a lot of Febreze.
Cyrus. You argue a reasoned, mature case for responsible adults owning and supporting an infrastructure that all of us use. And we all need to understand that these are OUR roads and bridges. They belong to us. And we need to maintain them as we would our own homes.
My only concern with your stance is, as an electric car owner, I would not feel the pinch at the pumps. Where will those of us be adding to the coffers?
The bill will implement a 2.3 cent per mile tax on EVs.
And how will that be collected?
Great question, Susan. The per-mile tax on EVs would be collected through the existing OReGO system. Drivers either install a simple plug-in device in their car or use a smartphone app that tracks mileage. It only counts miles driven in Oregon, and drivers get credit for any gas tax they already pay (in the case of hybrids). The point is to make sure EV owners are contributing their fair share to maintain the roads, just like everyone else who pays at the pump.
One of the issues with trying to tax ev's is an invasion of privacy and I do believe it will end up being challenged in court no matter how it is handled. Wouldn't it be less invasive to charge a percent tax at the charging stations; then the only invasion of privacy would be how much power a homeowner is using for EV purposes (in theory). Also, wouldn't this most closely reflect the current gas tax?
Your support of waste, fraud and abuse is astonishing.
We already pay over $4.00 at the pump now in Tillamook?? When in other states there paying less the $3.00 at there pumps?? Our State Government Needs to Cut Unnecessary Spending, Unnecessary (ya I know DEI) Hiring. We moved to Tillamook 12 yrs ago, Portland was a beautiful city, the roads were fine (except hwy6) there were no noticeable homeless camps (now there everywhere) there was no Panting Tags on bridges, signs, buildings, fences?? So What Has Happened to Your City and Towns in The Past 12 Yrs???? It Certainly The People In Charge of This State?? Raising gas Taxes Will Distract the Real Reason and Destroy the Already Struggling Hard Working Citizens of This Beautiful State.
Rep. Javadi,
Kudos to you for speaking directly and clearly with accurate info about this issue. I hope all your readers of all political parties will consider the options facing Oregonians. I especially hope they will respond with their own thoughts, instead of parroting Fox News, GOP, and social media slogans.
One of your readers complained about "Waste, fraud, and abuse," which certainly describes the current leadership of the federal government. However, I can't figure out how ODOT can abuse a bridge or highway, unless it's to neglect it so badly that it collapses.
Thank you for the kind words. I’ll keep laying out the facts as plainly as I can, and I agree, we need real conversations about solutions, not just slogans.
ODOT can NOT account for millions of dollars, where is that money before we give them anymore!
Mr. Javadi we elected you to represent all of us and to protect our livelihoods.
While your presentation is good and well thought. The reality is that you just reinforce the wanton waste that our government has embraced for much too long. A number of times you mentioned Highway six and getting it fixed when odot has flat out stated that no funds will be diverted to highway six.
Odot has wasted millions on solar farms on rails to trails projects cleaning up the homeless mess that our state has neglected to deal with. We are the people who have elected ,you are telling you that no we do not want more taxes. We do not want more fees . Please, sir, represent the people who elected you and had faith in you, not the spend More government that is well entrenched.
I hear you, and I share your frustration with wasteful spending and misplaced priorities. I’ve pushed ODOT on exactly those issues, and I’ll keep pressing for accountability and for Highway 6 to finally get the attention it deserves.
But the maintenance hole we’re facing isn’t created by solar farms or side projects. It’s driven by inflation, shrinking gas tax revenue, and dollars already locked up by law.
You elected me to be honest, even when it’s unpopular.
And the hard truth is this: without new revenue, the roads we all depend on won’t be maintained. I’ll keep fighting to make sure every dollar is spent wisely, but pretending we can fix this without new funding won’t get Highway 6 or any other road repaired.
I am curious why you say that needless spending doesn't "create" the maintenance hole. Why not? Are you saying if money is available (by not being spent on wasteful projects) that it just won't be spent at all and thus maintenance still won't happen? Most of us understand that there is a limited amount of dollars in the pot. So we understand that if we don't spend money in one area, it can be redirected to something of higher value and priority.
My experience with government is that funding is intentionally (seemingly) cut from the things that people will feel the most; in the past typically libraries and police, while plenty of spending that people don't care about is done that could have been cut or redirected to what people actually care about. Politicians know that people will cave after a while of dealing with no money to deal with the things they actually care about.
I don't think anyone is disagreeing with the need for maintenance. What we disagree with is the seeming willingness to ignore waste, fraud, and/or mismanagement. If the system is not fixed then why bother increasing taxes? I would rather have a broken government than a fat government and poverty stricken people...I don't think those are our only options but they seem to be the two options the State of Oregon is pushing on us. I for one am sick of the government destroying our economy and system with known terrible policies (it's been going on for a long time); I am happy to see the state government "crash and burn" rather than rewarding their poor decisions and choices so they can continue to do more harm.
Dr. Javadi once you are in a spin do you pull back on the stick with all your might to raise your nose because in a normal situation that will gain your altitude back or do you push the nose down against all your instincts and live for another day. Thats the way I see this government of oregon. Prepare for the crash because thats where we are headed. Please reconsider this tax . Make Tina lay off the road crews and find out her popularity isn't so hot. I feel bad for the workers but thats tough love. Nobody felt badly about running me out of the woods hauling logs. That cost me 13 years trucking over the road living out of truckstops. We have to say stop this nonsence and pull ourselves out of this government dive. Thanx for the time.
Dr Javadi should listen to the people who elected him.We are the navigators. Its not the time to “fly by the seat of your pants,” Doctor Javadi!
You gave two options: cut our way out or raise revenue. I have a third option: fix the system and government waste that plagues our entire state at every level of government. While it may be true that fixing the system won't fix the budgetary issues, Oregonians won't be happy with raising taxes just to waste those dollars on a broken system. At the end of the day, six cents is not that big (at least by itself) of an increase but what most Oregonians recognize is that raising it six cents won't fix the problem and if the problem isn't fixed then why raise the taxes in the first place?
Mr. Javadi,
Until the problem of misuse of funds and misappropriation of money, given to odot is addressed and corrected, there should not be one cent more given to them.
If you and I ran our businesses, the way the state is ran we would both be bankrupt.
Let’s fix the problems before we are taxed anymore. And while it may cause short term discomfort, it would give us a couple more years to get this all completely straightened out.
Regards,
George Botkin
O(nce again you say nothing about changing how it is operated. We do NOT have a revenue problem we have a spending, waste, and outright fraud problem! You defrauded and lied to Oregonians to get elected! You should be honorable and just step down!
You are quite correct on all counts - nobody relishes paying higher taxes and fees, but as Oliver Wendell Holmes once opined, they are the price one pays for living in a civil society. I venture that many of the same folks opposing this legislation shake their heads at every pothole they hit, shake their heads at every detour, bridge closure, or roadways less than pristine. You have my support and my vote.
Thank you for the encouragement. You’re right, none of us like paying more, but safe roads don’t come free, and ignoring the problem only makes it worse. I appreciate your support.
Here's where your logic fails, Javadi.
"Option 2: Face the music, raise revenue, fix the imbalance, and actually fund maintenance so ODOT and local governments can keep roads safe."
They'll raise the revenue. And apparently you'll help them because you just voted to dump $6 billion on the backs of Oregonians who are already suffering. What they'll never do is fix the imbalance. Or fix anything, for that matter. And they'll never properly fund ODOT's core requirement of actually making our roads safe.
And they'll be back next session asking for more money. With more promises that "this time we'll fix it." When past experience tells us that they won't.
If the voting citizens of your district have any sense at all, you won't be there to help screw us over.
I have been pleasantly surprised at your logical, common sense explanations of your positions on various issues affecting Oregon. I have not been surprised by the knee jerk responses by some of your constituents who are unwilling to learn the facts for themselves and just keep repeating the prevailing party line of cutting funding for unnecessary services and determining which services fall under that category. Services cost money; the government provides services that individuals, local communities and states cannot fund on their own. People think taxes are high now. Imagine how high the tolls would be on the roads if that was solely how they were funded. How about hospitals, libraries, schools, etc.? How many communities could afford to build the necessary infrastructure to supply these services? How many families would be forced to forego these and other services if they were fee only? I chose not to have children, but I have willingly paid taxes to support schools, libraries and other services to help create an educated population. I am really fed up with the people who seem to be saying "I benefitted from those services, but I don't want to pass it on to others, even the next generation." As you pointed out, letting the state "crash and burn", (as Jeff Wagnall put it in his post), will just increase the amount of funds required to make the needed repairs and upgrades. Makes sense, cut off your nose to spite your face!
Personally I’d prefer a per mile system. Based on vehicle weight initially. Eventually adding trailer hub odometers as well. It would be a use toll nothing more. Maybe something like the fastpass tolling could be used as well to track out of state miles so you wouldn’t be charged tax on those. Also a mileage tax on metal studded tires that eat pavement. I don’t know I’m just spitballing. I don’t expect a vegetarian to pay for the hatcheries that provide the fish our family likes to eat but I certainly don’t mind buying the license and tags. It just seems more fair to charge by weight and use and not subsidize. It’s a cost of choice and or business. Pay to play!
.
I voted for you and was very hopeful that you would stand up for the people here in our area. But you turned out to be a Democrat in disguise. And I just cannot believe how willing you are just to roll over for whatever goes on in Salem.
When a pragmatic Democrat with a backbone and true compassion for taxpayers runs against you and wins, I’m going to be asking you why you didn’t deep read what you call talking points? Stick with filling dental potholes, because you know nothing about the corruption of ODOT.
I get that you disagree with me, and that’s fair. But my responsibility is to deal with the math and the structure in front of us, not just repeat what people want to hear. I’ve spent hundreds of hours digging into ODOT’s budget and the proposals on the table, and I’ll keep pushing for accountability and reform where it’s needed. But at the end of the day, plows, asphalt, and paint don’t come free, and ignoring that reality won’t fix the roads.
This fuel tax and increase in car registration hits the working class much harder than those who are wealthy like you and those who are poor and receive welfare. The almost 18% of Oregonians on public assistance will likely get an increase in that assistance to pay for the inflation of goods due to fuel taxes, but working class people who are defined as having less than a four year college degree and who have to drive to work and buy their own groceries will get hit hard. That is 44% of the population of Oregon. So are you planning to give your employees raises to help them through the inflation you are creating by voting for this behemoth gift to a corrupt ODOT?
Javadi lied to get elected, he is not really for the working class, if he was, he would be fighting increasing taxes on the working people! Just like all the dems, he is working hard to negate any tax Breaks President Trump is trying to give us.
So true Denice! We expect some Dems will lie for power and prestige. Conservatives have great noses and usually can smell a rat. This one uses a lot of Febreze.
As a city councilor, I thank you for this.