Rep. Yunker: Road plan a “tax grab, not a solution”

Rep. Dwayne Yunker Slams Governor’s Transportation Plan:“This Is a Tax Grab, Not a Solution”
By Oregon State Representative Dwayne Yunker,

GRANTS PASS, OR – Following the briefing to the legislature by Governor Kotek’s office on her newly announced transportation special session of the legislature, Representative Dwayne Yunker (R-Grants Pass) issued a sharp rebuke, calling the plan “politically motivated, economically reckless, and light on answers.”

“We’re looking at increases in gas taxes, registration fees, title transfers, even payroll taxes,” said Representative Yunker. “The Governor wants more state money and doesn’t care if she crushes working families and businesses to get it.”

Representative Yunker criticized the lack of transparency from the Governor’s office: “I’ve asked multiple times for real answers and real data. So far, I’ve received neither. No economic impact analysis from the Office of Economic Analysis. No breakdown of which ODOT departments would really be cut without a tax increase. Just vague talking points and more politics.”

One glaring omission in today’s briefing? Any mention of cuts to ODOT’s $25 million Social Equity & Civil Rights (DEI) division. “With roughly 500 layoffs under consideration, why is DEI completely off the table?” said Representative Yunker. “Republicans have been clear: we can avoid these tax hikes by eliminating non-essential spending and preserving our federal transportation dollars.”
“We don’t need a special session, and we certainly don’t need to raise taxes on Oregonians,” said Representative Yunker. “This proposal isn’t serious. It’s more of the same – and Oregon deserves better.”