PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Governor Kotek has officially called a special session of the Oregon legislature starting August 29. They will try to approve a transportation bill to reverse massive layoffs at the Oregon Department of Transportation, as well as provide needed funding to local transportation agencies.

This comes after a nearly $2 billion transportation package failed during the regular session amid concern about big increases in taxes and fees.

Senator Lew Frederick is the Senate Majority Whip. Representing North and Northeast Portland, Sen. Frederick is chair of the Senate Education Committee and is on the Joint Ways and Means Committee.

A former spokesperson for Portland Public Schools and a former television news reporter, Frederick has been in the legislature since 2009.

Sen. Frederick returned to Eye on Northwest Politics to talk about what’s different this time around.

Watch the full interview in the video above.