SALEM, Ore. (KPTV) -- Citizens from across the state shared testimony at the Capitol on Monday on Gov. Tina Kotek's proposed transportation bill, known as Legislative Concept 2, or LC 2, ahead of the upcoming special legislative session.
According to the governor's office, LC 2 is projected to bring in $587 million through the State Highway Fund over the next two years, with $290 million allocated to the Oregon Department of Transportation. The bill aims to prevent deep cuts to ODOT and avoid maintenance closures, but it would come with tax increases, including a higher gas tax.
State Highway Fund revenues would follow Oregon's typical allocation model:
Earlier this summer, lawmakers failed to pass a long-term funding plan during the 2025 legislative session to address ODOT's projected $354 million budget shortfall for 2025 through 2027.
Here's what LC 2 proposes:
In-person testimony Monday from organizations and general constituents leaned in favor of the bill.
ODOT is currently in the process of laying off 483 employees and eliminating 449 vacant positions.
Melissa Unger, executive director of Service Employees International Union Local 503, a union that represents 70,000 public service and care providers across Oregon, including some ODOT workers, testified in support of the bill. She emphasized the need for ODOT workers, who often serve as first responders.
In an interview with FOX 12, Unger said the cuts could result in fewer workers on the roads, unable to respond to hazardous conditions this winter.
"There's a lot of fear that they [the remaining ODOT workers] are going to get blamed for the fact that we will not be able to keep snow and ice off our roads. We will not be able to be there in an emergency," Unger said.
More than 2,000 pieces of written testimony were filed ahead of the public hearing. While most in-person testimony leaned in favor of the bill, much of the written testimony opposed it, citing concerns over new taxes.
Republican Rep. Christine Drazan, a vocal critic of LC 2, said lawmakers should prioritize existing taxes instead of creating new ones and preserve ODOT jobs.
"We currently have a payroll tax, but it's not being used for roads. It's being used for busing, rail, trails. We can say what we need right now is to prioritize some of that money and we need to hold onto these maintenance workers," Drazan said.
"If you work in Oregon, you are going to see less of your paycheck come home to your family because they're doubling the payroll tax. On Labor Day weekend, it's really important that Oregonians know what's at stake right now, so this is not a Band-Aid. This isn't some small, modest bridge to us having a larger conversation about accountability. This is a full increase in costs and a massive tax increase on Oregon families," she continued.
The special session begins Friday, when lawmakers will take additional testimony and continue discussion of the proposed bill.