Governor Tina Kotek convenes a special session to procure extra funding for transport initiatives, thereby preventing potential workforce reductions.
Governor Kotek Announces Special Session to Secure Transportation Funding for Oregon
Governor Tina Kotek has announced a special session for August 29, 2025, to address the urgent need for additional funding for the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). The special session is a response to the failure of lawmakers to pass Democrat-backed transportation funding proposals during the previous session [6].
The proposed funding solution involves raising the gas tax by six cents per gallon, increasing vehicle registration fees by $42, and raising title fees by $139 [2][4]. This package is intended to close a $354 million budget gap threatening ODOT’s operations, including basic road maintenance and preventing layoffs of about 500 employees [2][4].
If successful, the special session may prevent the closure of maintenance stations and the layoff of hundreds of workers within ODOT. Currently, 12 maintenance stations across Oregon may close this summer, and hundreds more workers may be laid off this winter, leading to more dangerous road conditions and deteriorating infrastructure [7].
The state transportation agency workers who received layoff notices this month may be able to keep their jobs due to this special session. Governor Kotek is confident that lawmakers will pass a watered-down proposal next month to keep basic services in place and avert layoffs [5].
The special session is projected to raise roughly $650 million over the 2025-27 biennium to stabilize funding for the state highway trust fund and local transit districts [1][5]. However, some opposition suggests using emergency funds from the Legislative Emergency Board instead of imposing new taxes to avoid raising costs for Oregon motorists amid already high gas prices [4].
Governor Kotek has been in frequent communication with lawmakers of both parties, including after-hours and weekend phone calls, since the session ended [3]. She acknowledges that any bill passed next month will be the first step of many to meet Oregon's long-term transportation needs [4].
Oregonians rely on various services provided by ODOT, including brush clearing to prevent wildfires and snow plowing in winter weather [8]. Without a long-term funding solution, these essential services could be compromised. The postponement of layoffs allows impacted staff more time to make contingency plans for their livelihoods and their families [2].
In summary, the core proposed funding solution is a 6-cent gas tax hike combined with increased vehicle registration and title fees, intended to avert layoffs and maintain ODOT services [1][2][4]. The special session is expected to take place on August 29, 2025.
- The special session, scheduled for August 29, 2025, aims to secure transportation funding for Oregon's Department of Transportation (ODOT), following the failure of previous proposals in the legislature.
- Governor Kotek's proposed solution to the budget gap includes raising the gas tax, increasing vehicle registration fees, and hiking title fees to generate roughly $650 million over the 2025-27 biennium.
- If successful, the special session could prevent the closure of maintenance stations and layoffs of hundreds of workers within ODOT, ensuring continued infrastructure maintenance and upkeep.
- However, there is opposition to the proposed funding solution, with some suggesting using emergency funds instead of imposing new taxes to mitigate the impact on Oregon motorists due to high gas prices.
- In the long-term, Governor Kotek acknowledges that passing a bill during the special session will only be the first step in addressing Oregon's transportation needs, which include essential services such as brush clearing and snow plowing.
