Committee approves resolution asking city bureaus to craft alternative transportation funding; urges governor to call special session

The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee voted unanimously Monday to refer a resolution to full council directing the Public Works and Budget and Finance service areas to develop a community‑informed, comprehensive strategy for alternative funding of Portland's transportation and infrastructure.

The committee also approved a late amendment urging the governor to call a special session as soon as possible for a comprehensive statewide transportation funding package to avoid further reductions to the Portland Bureau of Transportation's operations and maintenance budget and similar cuts for other Oregon communities.

The resolution came after public testimony from Kyle Lewis, a bridge inspector for the Oregon Department of Transportation and a member of the board of the Association of Engineering Employees Oregon, who said dozens of state transportation workers were being notified of layoffs because the legislature adjourned without passing a transportation package. "We still believe that the best and easiest solution for everyone is a special session and a transportation funding package for the entire state," Lewis told the committee.

Priyatana Paul, the Deputy City Attorney (DCA) for Public Works, told the committee Public Works "strongly support[s] this resolution" and welcomes the direction to develop an equitable and resilient funding framework. Millicent Williams, director of the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT), said PBOT would serve as the primary technical contributor to the strategy and noted staff had already surveyed funding options, convened a community task force in 2019–2021 and prepared near‑term strategy ideas.

Councilors voiced urgency. Councilor Green proposed language urging the state legislature to reconvene; Councilor Murillo suggested tightening that phrasing to request action "as soon as possible." Megan Beyer, Councilor Clark's chief of staff, advised the amendment be worded to ask the governor to call a special session rather than instructing the legislature directly; the committee adopted that edit.

Councilor Murillo moved the main resolution and Councilor Smith seconded. The amendment and final referral each passed on 5‑0 roll calls (Murillo, Green, Smith, Koyama Lane, Clark).

The resolution directs city bureaus to coordinate across service areas and to center community engagement and workforce considerations in developing alternative funding proposals. The committee recommended the item be expedited to full council.

Full council will consider the resolution and the committee's recommendation. If adopted, Public Works and Budget & Finance would begin the directed planning and community engagement to identify potential fees, revenue sources and implementation steps.