Salem, Ore. – Oregon legislators Monday evening unveiled the framework for a transportation funding package that begins to answer Oregon’s glaring need for innovative solutions to keep people and goods moving safely and efficiently.
The Transportation for Oregon’s Future coalition commended members of the Joint Committee on Transportation Preservation and Modernization for countless hours of work to understand Oregonians’ transportation needs and to develop a comprehensive multimodal response. This legislation, paired with parallel legislation to incentivize the purchase of electric cars and buses, will move Oregon forward.
“If these solutions become law, Oregon will be a healthier, safer place to live with less pollution,” said Chris Hagerbaumer, Deputy Director, Oregon Environmental Council. “We are especially pleased that key legislators recognize we can’t build our way out of congestion — that the lasting solutions to congestion are more transportation options and better management of our existing roadways.”
“Every child in Oregon deserves a safe route to school,” said Gerik Kransky, Policy Director, The Street Trust. “We are happy to see an initial transportation package that includes funding for trails and safe places to walk and bike.”
“We need more mass transit now,” said Maria Hernandez, Advocacy Coordinator, OPAL Environmental Justice Oregon. “Low income communities of color demanded these investments, and finally the legislature listened.
“We need a forward-looking transportation package that invests in transit options, reduces pollution, and looks ahead to the future of transportation, not the past. This a big step toward those goals,” said Doug Moore, Executive Director, Oregon League of Conservation Voters.
Transportation for Oregon’s Future will weigh in over the coming weeks as the details of the package, such as how the cost burden is shared, are developed. We will work to ensure the package moves beyond the old highways-focused approach and focuses investments in a modern, connected transportation system with safe, affordable, clean and healthy options.
