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Facing legal hurdles, Oregon Democrats will give voters final say on transportation tax hikes in May
Democrats aim to hold a May 19 vote on HB 3991 to address Oregon Department of Transportation's $242 million budget gap and clarify funding amid legal limits on repeal.
- On Wednesday, House Speaker Julie Fahey and Senate President Rob Wagner announced they will introduce legislation in the short legislative session beginning Feb. 2 to set the House Bill 3991 referendum vote for May 19, moving it from November.
- A reversal in legal advice from July 9 to Jan. 21 prompted legislative attorneys to conclude lawmakers cannot repeal referred portions of House Bill 3991, though they can set the election date.
- The transportation package raised gas taxes and fees while the Oregon Department of Transportation faces a $242 million shortfall and warned of nearly 500 layoffs and 570 position cuts without funding.
- Setting May 19 aims to give lawmakers and local partners earlier clarity on transportation funding, and if voters reject the hikes, the Legislature can consider alternatives after May.
- Gov. Tina Kotek has said she will convene discussions this year to produce a long-term 2027 road‑funding proposal, and lawmakers plan to use May's results in the 2026 legislative session beginning Feb. 2, noting the last comparable referral went to the May 2000 ballot.
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Dems want Gov. Kotek's transportation repeal on your May primary ballot: Here's why
Oregon lawmakers are pushing for a referendum on House Bill 3991 to be put to a vote in the upcoming statewide primary election, as the future of Gov. Tina Kotek's transportation funding bill remains uncertain.
·Portland, United States
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Oregon Capital Chronicle+6 Reposted by 6 other sources
Oregon Democratic leaders push to move transportation referendum to May
Elizabeth Camara, a No Kings rally counterprotester holds a sign protesting against the transportation package Democratic lawmakers passed during a special session earlier this year in Salem, Oregon. (Photo by Mia Maldonado/Oregon Capital Chronicle)Democratic leaders in the Oregon Legislature want to move a statewide vote on transportation taxes from November to May. After submitting enough signatures to the Oregon Secretary of State’s Office, …
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Leaning Left1Leaning Right1Center8Last UpdatedBias Distribution80% Center
Bias Distribution
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C 80%
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