Sen. Bonham: Oregon among most expensive states to drive in

Oregon is one of the most expensive states to drive in
By Oregon Sate Senator Daniel Bonham
and Oregon Senate Republican Caucus Leader

Recent reports show Oregon is the second most expensive state to drive in, following Maryland. These are not the type of rankings we want to keep getting.

Factors include maintenance costs from unkept roads, tolls, auto insurance and gas prices.

For being the most expensive, we should in turn be the top roads in the state, right? Wrong. We are unimpressively middle of the pack ranking 25th in the nation on cost-effectiveness and condition, 36th in traffic congestion, with Portland being ranked as one of the worst cities in the country to drive in.

This is direct proof that more money does not mean better service when it comes to the government. We are the most expensive and the most mediocre. That is not how doing business and providing a service should work.

Further, these expenses hit our state’s most vulnerable residents. For someone living paycheck to paycheck – these costs are crippling.