Senate Democrats approve $4.3B tax bill

Senate Democrats Force Through $4.3B Tax Hike, Ignoring Oregon’s Affordability Crisis
By Oregon Senate Republican Leader Bruce Starr,

SALEM, Ore. – With no regard for struggling families and small businesses, Senate Democrats today passed Governor Tina Kotek’s $4.3 billion transportation tax hike (HB 3991) without a single Republican vote. Senate Republicans cast a unanimous “no” vote and stood with thousands of Oregonians who pleaded with Democrats controlling this process to stop the bill. Yet Democrats signaled there is far more to come, repeatedly calling this tax increase a “band-aid.”

Republicans had also offered amendments to give ODOT flexibility to use its existing funds for core services like plowing snow and filling potholes and to give Oregonians the chance to vote on the tax hike. Democrats rejected both before ramming the bill through.

“Democrats proved today they neither trust the people of Oregon nor care about the affordability crisis families are living through,” said Senate Republican Leader Bruce Starr (R-Dundee). “Oregonians are already paying the price for years of Democrat control—at the gas pump, at the grocery store, in their housing costs, and more. Today, Democrats made it worse. Voters should remember this day and who stood with them.”

Oregon already has the 4th highest gas prices in the nation, the 2nd tightest housing market, the 3rd highest income needed to buy a home, and the 5th most expensive child care. Economist John Topanga recently warned that “the boom days are over” as more Oregonians leave the state and fewer children are born into a failing education system.

“Oregonians deserve safe roads, but they also deserve a Legislature that listens,” Starr continued. “We are more determined than ever to give voters a voice in this process. This fight is far from over.”