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Advocates propose 'Measure What We Drive' metrics and debt 'guardrails' for ODOT
Summary
Transportation advocates presented two complementary legislative concepts to the Senate committee: one would require project performance metrics and public 'report cards,' the other would add debt‑management guardrails and transparency for ODOT/OTC bonding decisions. Presenters said the changes are modeled on practices in other states.
Advocates told the Senate Committee on Transportation that two complementary bills — "Measure What We Drive" and "Guardrails for Good Governance" — could help Oregon better align projects with statewide goals and protect future funding for maintenance and safety.
Indi Namcoong (transportation justice coordinator) and Brett Morgan (transportation policy director) said "Measure What We Drive" would improve performance management by scoring projects against clear statewide objectives and producing an annual report card to show whether investments are meeting goals. Morgan used an analogy to explain the idea: "Imagine you're on a road trip... you have an incomplete picture of your dashboard" to argue decision makers need a fuller set of metrics.
Their second proposal, "Guardrails for Good Governance," would create a debt-management policy to guide how ODOT and the Oregon Transportation Commission use bonding authority, require better disclosure of risks and opportunity costs when bonds are authorized, and improve geographic representation and public-engagement practices on the commission.
Presenters said other states — including Virginia, Washington and Minnesota — have elements that could translate to Oregon and recommended starting with clearer debt-management guidance and disclosure requirements as achievable short-session steps. Committee members voiced support and asked presenters to meet with legislative offices to refine draft bills.
