No Gas Hikes PAC on transportation tax defeat

Transportation Tax Hikes Rejected in Legislature
By No Gas Hikes PAC,

Salem, OR- Oregonians can breathe a sigh of relief. For now, an imminent tax spike on over a dozen different transportation items has been thwarted. For what was turning out to be a party line vote on HB 2025A, No Gas Hikes formed as a coalition to perform early work on a potential ballot referral that would allow voters to decide the tax’s fate.

A 37% Oregon Gas Tax increase, a 300% spike on the statewide transit wage tax, significant sales taxes on new and used cars, and a variety of 150% or more increases to DMV fees were among the items trotted out by Oregon Democrats.

The regressive and damaging impact these would have on lower and middle income Oregonians are easy to imagine – and perhaps that is why No Gas Hikes grew quickly.

“Our goal is to get to 78,000 Oregonians who sign up and say ‘Here is my name. Add me as someone who would sign a future petition to refer transportation-related taxes to the ballot,’” said Co-Director John Swanson.

Jason Williams, President of the Taxpayers’ Association of Oregon, said: “What a success. To not have to refer a tax is a win for this coalition and for taxpayers.”

Brian Boquist, No Gas Hikes Co-Director, former State Senator and Vice Chair of the Joint Transportation Committee said: “This is the chance for all stakeholders to go back to the drawing board and find a solution that taxpayers can live with.”

Lynn Findley, No Gas Hikes Co-Director, former State Senator and member of the Joint Transportation Committee said: “Letting the people decide is the only real path forward. It can be done. Or put something forward that voters see no need to refer.”