Failure of Transportation Package Shortchanges Oregon Roads by $206 Million
ODOT Budget Cuts Additional Road Funding for Counties
Salem, OR – The Oregon Department of Transportation released Wednesday details on transportation funding Oregon counties and cities will not receive following the failure of a comprehensive transportation in the legislature this session. $206 million per year in critical transportation and infrastructure investments will be left on the table when the 2015 legislative session closes without a transportation package.
“Democrats’ unwillingness to put aside their coveted Low Carbon Fuel Standard program in favor of greater carbon reduction and a comprehensive transportation package left Oregon cities and counties empty handed and in desperate need of transportation and infrastructure investment,” said Senate Republican Leader Ted Ferrioli (R-John Day). “Roads and bridges are crumbling in every Oregon county, and not one is left unscathed by the failure of the transportation package this session. We can’t wait until 2017 to send these critical funds to our local governments.”
According to ODOT, more than $60 million per year would have gone to Oregon counties and more than $40 million per year would have gone to Oregon cities had the bipartisan transportation package agreement passed this session. Losses include $21 million for Multnomah County, $12 million for Washington County, $6 million for Clackamas County and $2 million for Lane County.
In addition to the lost funding from the transportation package, the Association of Oregon Counties discovered counties will lose over $9 million per biennium in road funding under HB 5040.
“It’s time Democrats align their priorities with those of working Oregon families and small businesses,” said Ferrioli. “Cities and counties need a transportation package, not expensive mandates that benefit out-of-state special interests.”
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