PORTLAND, Ore. — As the Oregon Legislature navigates critical policy debates, a significant transportation funding bill, House Bill 2025 (HB 2025), faces headwinds not only within the legislative chambers but also among the very constituents it aims to serve. New polling data, obtained by the Oregon Journalism Project, suggests a disconnect between the perceived urgency by state transportation officials and lawmakers and the priorities of Oregon voters.
The poll indicates widespread public skepticism regarding the necessity of the proposed legislation and a notable reluctance to embrace the tax increases required to fund it. This sentiment surfaces as HB 2025, a centerpiece of the current legislative session, approaches crucial floor votes.
The Bill’s Ambition Amidst Fiscal Challenges
HB 2025 is designed to address a projected deficit within the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and secure the long-term financial health of the state’s transportation infrastructure. Proponents of the bill argue that significant investment is needed to maintain and improve roads, bridges, and transit systems across Oregon.
The legislation sets an ambitious target, aiming to generate nearly $2 billion annually by the 2033–35 biennium. This substantial sum is deemed essential by supporters to close the funding gap and embark on necessary infrastructure projects that have been delayed or underfunded.
Voters Rank Roads Low on Priority List
However, the poll results paint a different picture of public concern. Conducted in April by DHM for the Oregon Transportation Coalition, the survey asked Oregonians about the most pressing problems facing the state. Roads and traffic, the primary focus of the proposed funding bill, ranked surprisingly low, cited by only 3% of respondents as a top concern.
This figure stands in stark contrast to issues that weigh more heavily on the minds of voters. Homelessness emerged as the top priority, identified by 17% of those polled. Government mismanagement followed closely at 14%, and housing affordability was the third-most cited problem at 10%.
The disparity in priorities suggests that while transportation officials view the ODOT deficit as a critical issue requiring immediate, significant funding, the average Oregon voter is far more preoccupied with social and economic challenges. This perspective gap presents a substantial hurdle for proponents of HB 2025 as they seek public buy-in for new taxes.
Legislative Efforts Meet Political Maneuvering
The effort to build support for increased transportation funding is not new. The Joint Transportation Committee embarked on a statewide tour last year specifically to highlight infrastructure needs and garner public and political will for funding ODOT. These tours typically involve site visits, public forums, and meetings with local officials and stakeholders to underscore the importance of transportation investment.
Despite these efforts, the path for HB 2025 remains challenging, underscored by recent political developments. On June 20, during a meeting of the Joint Committee on Transportation Reinvestment, a significant leadership change occurred that was interpreted as a move to ensure the bill’s advancement.
Senate President Rob Wagner (D-Lake Oswego) replaced Senator Mark Meek (D-Gladstone) on the committee. While the reasons for such changes can be multifaceted, legislative observers noted the timing and context suggested a strategic decision aimed at facilitating the passage of HB 2025 through the committee and onward to the floor for a full vote.
This maneuver highlights the political capital and legislative effort being expended to push the bill forward, even as public polling indicates a lack of widespread concern about the underlying issue the bill seeks to fix and a reluctance to fund the proposed solution.
Implications for the Session
The findings of the DHM poll obtained by the Oregon Journalism Project inject a significant element of public opinion into the legislative debate surrounding HB 2025. While lawmakers ultimately decide on legislation, voter sentiment can influence political will, particularly on issues involving new or increased taxes.
The disconnect between legislative priorities, driven by agency needs like the ODOT deficit, and public priorities, focused on issues like homelessness and housing, presents a fundamental challenge. Legislators supporting HB 2025 must now contend with clear evidence that the public is neither particularly worried about the state of transportation infrastructure nor eager to foot the bill for its repair.
As HB 2025 moves towards potential floor votes, the central question remains: will the legislature prioritize addressing the projected ODOT deficit with significant tax increases, or will the revealed voter skepticism temper their approach? The outcome will not only determine the future of transportation funding in Oregon but may also reflect the responsiveness of state government to the publicly stated concerns of its citizens.
This report is based on information gathered by Nigel Jaquiss.
