The special session of the Oregon Legislature has been delayed two weeks because Sen. Chris Gorsek, D-Gresham, remains excused for medical reasons and he needs to be present to ensure a package of transportation funding bills passes.
A third reading and debate on the bills sponsored by Gov. Tina Kotek was paused on Sept. 2 until Sept. 17. The Oregon Senate will convene on Sept. 3 to formally reschedule votes on the bills.
“The postponement will allow our esteemed colleague to join us in passing the transportation measure he has worked so long to shape,” said Senate Majority Leader Kayse Jama, D-Portland.
Gorsek was co-chair of the transportation committee during the regular session before he resigned after a confrontation with Rep. Shelly Boshart Davis, R-Albany. According to the Sept. 2, he is recovering from complications after a planned medical procedure in August.
Tax increases, like those in House Bill 3991, require three-fifths of a chamber for approval. Senate Democrats have a supermajority, meaning there are enough votes to pass the bill if all Democrat senators are in attendance and vote in favor.
No Republican senators have publicly signaled support for the transportation package. In the House, it received a sole Republican ‘yes’ vote.
In a statement, Senate Minority Leader Daniel Bonham, R-The Dalles, said his prayers are with Gorsek and his family.
“I hope he can focus on his recovery and make a full and speedy return,” Bonham said.
Bonham also said Democrats will need all 18 members present to pass the proposed bills because Senate Republicans remain united in opposition.
“Governor Kotek did not work with us to find common ground, and there’s nothing in her bill that reflects the concerns we’ve raised,” Bonham said. “Until Senator Gorsek returns, we’ll be here advocating on behalf of the thousands of Oregonians who tell us they can’t afford another tax increase.”
Kotek called lawmakers back to the Capitol on July 22 after they adjourned the regular session on June 27 without passing a transportation package. The Oregon Department of Transportation said the agency would be short $300 million to maintain service levels for the two-year budget cycle that began July 1. Kotek announced the layoffs of 483 ODOT workers and the closure of a dozen maintenance stations across the state.
The layoffs and closures scheduled for Sept. 15, have been delayed to Oct. 15, pending the outcome of the special session.
“I am making a good faith assessment, with the assurances of Senate leaders, that the bill passed by the House on Monday will pass when the Senate reconvenes,” Kotek said in a statement. “With assurances from legislative leadership, I have directed ODOT to extend the effective date of the layoffs to October 15. This date will make sure there are no interruptions for the hundreds of workers whose jobs hang in the balance and the basic services that Oregonians rely on.”
The Oregon House passed HB3991 and its accompanying budget bill, House Bill 3992, on Labor Day. They also passed a resolution to end their part of the special session. HB3992 passed 35-8. HB3991 passed 36-12. Rep. Annessa Hartman, D-Gladstone, opposed the bill alongside Republicans, while Rep. Cyrus Javadi, R-Tillamook, supported it.
Kotek’s bill is estimated to generate $4.3 billion over the next 10 years through tax increases and fees, including:
A 6-cent increase to the state gas tax for a total of 46 cents per gallon
A $42 and $132 increase in vehicle registration and title fees, respectively
A doubling of the 0.1% payroll tax to fund public transit until Jan. 1, 2028.
A $30 supplemental registration fee for electric vehicles, and
A new “road usage charge” would be phased in for electric and hybrid cars starting in 2027.
The bill also includes accountability measures, like performance audits of ODOT and shifting the power to hire and fire ODOT’s director to Kotek.
HB 3992 would create 20 new jobs to implement HB 3991, including two new auditing positions in the Secretary of State’s Office and 18 at ODOT.
It also puts $800,000 from the state’s emergency fund toward the bill and increases expenditure limitations for ODOT and the Department of Administrative Services by a combined $204.9 million.
Anastasia Mason covers state government for the Statesman Journal. Reach her at acmason@statesmanjournal.com or 971-208-5615.
Dianne Lugo covers the Oregon Legislature and equity issues. Reach her at dlugo@statesmanjournal.com or on X @DianneLugo or Bluesky @diannelugo.bsky.social
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon Legislature’s special session, ODOT layoffs delayed again