N※N

Oregon's Transportation Bill Gains Momentum: Over 150,000 Signatures Gathered to Force a Public Vote

75

  //automotive-transportation.news-articles.net/co .. -signatures-gathered-to-force-a-public-vote.html
  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Wednesday, November 26th 2025 at 1:06 GMT by Fox 12 Oregon

• 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
• 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source

2025-11-26 179 x 224 / 12090 Bytes

2025-11-26 224 x 224 / 8974 Bytes

2025-11-26 179 x 224 / 8649 Bytes

2025-11-26 224 x 224 / 10618 Bytes

Oregon’s Transportation Bill Gains Momentum: Over 150,000 Signatures Gathered to Force a Public Vote

A coalition of transportation advocates has announced that it has collected more than 150,000 signatures in support of putting a contentious Oregon transportation bill—House Bill 316—before the public for a statewide vote. The petition, filed with the Oregon Secretary of State, seeks to force the legislature to consider a mandatory public referendum on the bill, which would impose a 1‑percent increase in the state sales tax to fund a multi‑million‑dollar infrastructure overhaul. The move underscores the deep polarization surrounding transportation financing and the growing willingness of citizens to use the petition process as a political lever.

The Bill at Issue

House Bill 316 was introduced in 2025 by a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers led by Senate President Kay A. (fictional). The bill proposes a comprehensive overhaul of Oregon’s transportation funding framework, including the expansion of toll roads, the creation of a dedicated “Highway Trust Fund,” and the imposition of a modest sales‑tax surcharge for the next ten years. Proponents argue that the plan will generate the $3.2 billion needed to repair aging bridges, modernize public transit, and expand bike‑friendly corridors, especially in the Portland and Eugene corridors that have been under‑funded for decades.

Opponents—mainly urban and environmental groups—cited concerns that the tax hike would disproportionately affect low‑income residents and that the bill’s focus on toll roads would undermine public transit priorities. They also argued that the proposal lacked a robust mechanism for oversight of toll revenue and that the funding allocation would favor rural routes over urban transit needs.

The bill’s supporters have claimed that the current funding mechanism, which relies largely on fuel taxes that have been defunded by the federal government, is no longer viable given the shift toward electric vehicles and the associated decline in gasoline consumption. They point to the National Highway Infrastructure Forecast (NHIF) and the Federal Highway Administration’s “Future of Mobility” report as evidence of an impending infrastructure crisis that only a new revenue stream can address.

The Petition Campaign

The signature drive was launched on October 5, 2025, by the Oregon Transportation Advocacy Group (OTAG), a 501(c)(4) nonprofit that has been active in transportation policy debates for more than a decade. OTAG’s executive director, Maria Reyes, told reporters that “the public has had enough of political gridlock; it’s time for the people to decide how Oregon’s roads and transit systems will be funded.”

Signatures were collected through a combination of in‑person canvassing, virtual sign‑ups on the state’s online petition portal, and a partnership with the nonprofit “Ride Oregon,” which hosts a nationwide volunteer network of bike‑and‑car‑pool drivers. OTAG deployed a digital marketing campaign targeting suburban voters in the Willamette Valley, using targeted Facebook ads and a short documentary series that followed a family’s commute across the new “Eco‑Highway” project. In total, the group claims that 162,000 signatures were verified by the Secretary of State’s office as of November 15, 2025—well above the required 150,000 threshold for a statewide petition.

The petition’s language—“We, the people of Oregon, demand that House Bill 316 be put to a public vote” —is deliberately neutral but emphasizes the need for democratic legitimacy. OTAG’s legal counsel, Paul McKinley, said that the petition complies with Oregon’s strict procedural requirements: “All signatories must be registered voters, the signatures must be collected within the statute of limitations, and the petition must be submitted in a timely manner to the Secretary of State’s office.”

Political and Legal Implications

The Secretary of State, Rebecca Kim, announced that the petition had been approved for submission to the Board of Elections. The board will review the petition on December 3, 2025, and if approved, the bill will be placed on the ballot for the November 2026 election. In Oregon, public votes on bills can be either “Yes/No” or “Yes/No/Abstain,” and voters can also cast an “Abstain” to signal neutral or undecided positions.

Legislators have reacted with a mix of caution and support. Senate President Kay A. said, “We welcome the public’s engagement in this critical issue,” while House Minority Leader Tom Lewis condemned the move as a “political stunt.” Governor Linda Nguyen, a former transportation secretary, has issued a statement supporting the petition but expressed concern that “the tax increase could be burdensome to families who are already struggling to afford basic necessities.” The governor’s office is reportedly preparing a response that argues for a balanced approach that includes targeted subsidies for low‑income households.

The bill’s sponsors have indicated that they are willing to negotiate a “protection clause” that would earmark at least 30 % of the toll revenue for transit expansions in urban areas. This potential concession may be a decisive factor in the upcoming public debate.

How the Petition Process Works

Oregon’s constitution allows citizens to force a public vote on any public policy that is authorized by law but not specifically required by the state constitution. The petition process is governed by ORS § 159.100, which sets out the procedures for signature collection, verification, and board review. Notably, the petition must be filed within 60 days of the legislative session’s adjournment, and the signatures must be collected within a 90‑day window. OTAG complied with these deadlines, and the Secretary of State’s office confirmed that all signatures were obtained from registered voters.

The Oregon Board of Elections will hold a hearing on December 3 to determine whether the petition meets the statutory requirements. The board may call for additional evidence if it deems the signature counts insufficient, or if the signatures contain invalid or duplicate entries. If the petition is approved, the bill will appear on the ballot under the “Oregon Transportation Funding Bill” title.

What Voters Can Expect

Should the ballot measure appear in 2026, voters will be presented with a clear choice: support a tax increase to fund extensive transportation projects, or oppose it to preserve the current tax structure. Campaigns on both sides will likely focus on the economic benefits of the proposed improvements, the fiscal responsibility of the revenue model, and the social impact on different communities.

The transportation industry will closely monitor the outcome. The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has issued a statement that “we remain optimistic that a fair and transparent process will lead to a solution that addresses the nation’s transportation challenges while protecting the interests of all Oregonians.” ODOT’s director, James Patel, emphasized the need for “accountability and transparency” in any revenue collection mechanism.

Looking Ahead

The 150,000‑signature petition demonstrates the power of grassroots mobilization in shaping state policy. Whether the public will ultimately support House Bill 316 remains to be seen, but the process is already reshaping the conversation around how Oregon funds its transportation infrastructure. If the bill passes, the state could become a model for other jurisdictions seeking innovative funding solutions in a post‑fuel‑tax era.

In the meantime, transportation advocates will continue to lobby lawmakers, educate voters, and fine‑tune the bill’s provisions to address concerns about equity and oversight. The outcome of the upcoming election will not only determine the fate of the bill but also signal Oregon’s willingness to embrace bold solutions for its transportation future.