County legislative team briefs commissioners on proposed $1.9 billion transportation package

Deschutes County legislative staff briefed the Board of Commissioners on April 4 about a new statewide transportation framework released April 3 that would raise roughly $1.9 billion in the biennium through a mix of fee and tax changes and direct those revenues to operations, maintenance and completion of major projects begun under 2017 legislation.

Doug Riggs, speaking for the county, called the framework “a first step” that will be amended and debated over the coming weeks. He said the bill aims to fill gaps in operations and maintenance caused by inflation and rising construction costs and to finish major projects initiated by House Bill 2017. Riggs noted the proposal does not fund aggressive long-term local project spending and faces political opposition from House Republicans over perceived lack of accountability for the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT); Senate Republicans, he said, signaled willingness to discuss the proposal.

County staff and elected officials flagged the need to watch accountability measures and implementation mechanics as the bill moves through work sessions. Chris Doty, who submitted comments in the meeting chat, urged county leaders to keep an open mind about new funding mechanisms included in the framework and to press for accountability and protections against project-labor provisions. Commissioners emphasized that funding for operations and maintenance is a priority: they said the failure of the 2017 package was that it funded new capital projects without adequately funding long-term upkeep. Several commissioners encouraged engagement with the county’s legislative delegation as hearings and work sessions begin.

What’s next: Joint committee deadlines were noted; staff asked commissioners to monitor upcoming hearings and to bring specific accountability concerns and local project impacts to the delegation.