Categories: Oregon News

Gov. Kotek hopes to have new ODOT bill pushed through Senate by Wednesday

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek says a difficult vote is coming up this week for state lawmakers as they resume a special session aimed at raising taxes to fund state transportation needs.

The governor calls the Oregon Department of Transportation funding bill a safety issue, asking lawmakers to raise the gas tax and DMV fees, but it’s not a done deal just yet.

During a special session earlier this month, Democratic lawmakers tried to pass the governor’s ODOT funding bill to raise $300 million to avoid hundreds of ODOT worker layoffs and service cuts.

It passed the House, but the Senate president postponed a vote while one Democrat was out ill.

On Monday, Kotek said she feels confident that she has the votes to get the bill passed by the Senate. However, she still has contingency plans.

“The signs are good that everybody will be able to be there on Wednesday, and hopefully that will be the closure of the special session,” Kotek said. “But, you know, life can intervene. If something comes up, we’ll continue to extend until we get it done.”

For now, the ODOT layoffs are set to take place in October 2025.

The governor needs all 18 Senate Democrats — or three-fifths of the total 30 members — to be there to get the tax bill approved. All the Republicans say they will vote against it and suggest there are other ways to find the funding.

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