Oregon Governor Tina Kotek issued sharp criticism on June 28, 2025, condemning the legislative body’s failure to pass a critical road-funding bill. Speaking to reporters in Salem, the governor warned that the inaction directly jeopardizes the employment of hundreds of workers at the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and described the outcome as profoundly “disappointing.” The legislative session concluded without providing the necessary financial lifeline for the state’s transportation infrastructure agency.
The Critical Need for Funding and Jobs at Risk
The urgency surrounding the failed legislation stemmed from previous explicit warnings issued by ODOT leadership. The agency, responsible for building, maintaining, and operating Oregon’s network of highways, bridges, and transit systems, had communicated that without a substantial financial infusion – specifically, at least $350 million – it would be compelled to initiate significant workforce reductions. ODOT indicated clearly that over 880 positions were at risk of elimination if the necessary funding did not materialize. This potential downsizing represents a considerable portion of ODOT’s workforce and underscores the critical role these funds play not only in maintaining essential transportation infrastructure but also in supporting hundreds of state employees and their families.
Legislative Stalemate and Failed Proposals
The collapse of the critical road-funding effort transpired during the final, crucial moments of the legislative session. Governor Kotek placed particular blame for the impasse squarely on Republican lawmakers, describing their stance as unreasonable for not agreeing to waive legislative rules. Such procedural waivers are a mechanism sometimes utilized in the closing days of a session to expedite votes on urgent, high-priority matters that may not have followed the standard timeline. The governor asserted emphatically that waiving these rules would have allowed for a direct vote on the crucial funding proposal before the session’s mandated end.
The specific measure at the center of this last-ditch legislative attempt was a proposal calling for a modest 3-cent increase in the state gas tax. This dedicated tax increase was reportedly the primary mechanism intended to generate a significant portion of the needed $350 million or more required by ODOT to avert the job cuts and continue planned projects. However, according to reports from the Capitol, the proposal ultimately failed to advance because House Republicans reportedly refused to provide the necessary votes to fast-track the measure through the legislative process in the session’s final hours. This procedural blockage effectively halted the bill’s progress, leading directly to the session’s conclusion without a resolution on this critical financial matter.
Impending Layoffs at ODOT
In the immediate wake of the legislative failure, Governor Kotek announced a grim and direct consequence for the state workforce: her administration is now actively preparing layoff notices for hundreds of ODOT employees. The governor stated that between 600 and 700 workers are specifically targeted for potential termination as a result of the funding shortfall. She characterized this potential workforce reduction in stark terms, describing it as potentially “one of the largest layoffs in Oregon history.” The preparation of these notices signals the direct and immediate human cost resulting from the legislature’s inability to reach a consensus and secure the required transportation funding before adjourning.
Disappointment with Legislative Leadership
Governor Kotek’s criticism following the session’s end was not solely directed at the Republican caucus she blamed for blocking the bill’s passage. She also publicly expressed disappointment regarding the decision made by Democratic leaders concerning the timing of the session’s conclusion. The governor specifically noted that the session adjourned two days earlier than originally scheduled. While she did not explicitly state that this early adjournment was the sole or primary cause of the funding bill’s ultimate failure, her remarks strongly suggested that the premature conclusion contributed significantly to the inability to find a last-minute legislative path forward for the critical funding bill in the dwindling hours available.
The Uncertain Path Forward for Oregon’s Infrastructure and Workforce
The failure to pass the road-funding bill before adjournment leaves the future of hundreds of ODOT jobs and potentially numerous planned and ongoing transportation projects across Oregon in a precarious and uncertain state. The state’s fundamental ability to maintain, repair, and improve its extensive network of roads, bridges, and other critical infrastructure elements is now directly impacted by the absence of the needed $350 million infusion. As the legislative session has formally concluded, the immediate path for securing this funding and averting the announced layoffs of 600 to 700 state workers remains unclear. This places significant pressure on the executive branch to find potential alternative solutions, while simultaneously leaving a substantial portion of the state’s transportation workforce facing significant job insecurity. The legislative impasse highlights ongoing political divisions over fiscal priorities and their tangible, significant consequences for both state services and the livelihoods of state employees.
