Deschutes GOP to oppose local gas tax

Deschutes County Republicans

BEND, OR – The Deschutes County Republicans announced their opposition to a gas tax for the City of Bend, after continued suggestions from city councilors that it could appear on the ballot in an upcoming election. Local Republicans are concerned about the effect raising taxes would have on citizens in the greater Bend area.

“Democrats in the Oregon Legislature already rammed through a hidden gas tax that will hurt working families all across Oregon and they’re considering raising the gas tax too. The City of Bend shouldn’t pass a local gas tax. Lower and middle income residents would be hit the hardest because more than 80% of these individuals commute to work. It would affect them significantly,” said Reagan Knopp, Chair of the Deschutes Republicans.

“We would like to see a greater commitment from the city to a solution utilizing the new money in the current budget instead of rushing a bad idea directly to the ballot. The gas tax will hurt working families, students, and small businesses the most. Deschutes Republicans stand with working families and local small businesses in saying no to the city gas tax,” said Knopp.

Knopp confirmed Deschutes Republicans would organize a significant grassroots effort against a local gas tax if one appeared on the ballot. “We’ve already started preparing for it to go to the ballot. This issue gives us the opportunity to engage many voters to fight for a better community by being involved in an important, local issue.”