🚨 Senate Democrats today passed their unpopular bill to manipulate the gas tax referendum election. Now it goes to the House.
Every Republican voted NO, standing with Oregon taxpayers every step of the way.
Voters should remember who had their backs and who sold them out.
This Memorial Day, we honor the great Americans who paid the highest price in defense of our nation. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. 🇺🇸 #MemorialDay
An 83%-16% defeat is a mandate @TinaKotek and her Democrat Supermajority better follow. All Oregonians are asking for is for their government to stop making life more expensive.
We hear you, and we’ll keep fighting to make Oregon affordable again.
Today's state revenue forecast made one thing clear: state government is doing just fine financially. Working families are not.
Oregonians are paying some of the highest gas and energy prices in the country because of poor decisions made by politicians in Salem over the last 10+ years.
Republicans are ready to lower your costs today. But the party in power wants even more taxes and mandates that will raise them even further.
Another difficult result for Oregon Democrats: a repeal of the state’s gas tax increase from 40 to 46 cents is currently leading 82-18.
Conservative opponents placed the repeal on the ballot after Democrats, led by Governor Tina Kotek, approved the increase.
Oregonians are clear about what they expect for their tax dollars: safe roads, maintained highways, and repaired bridges.
Over time, ODOT has been tasked with more and more while the basics fell behind.
Then came $4.3B in new taxes for services many taxpayers believe should already be covered.
Taxpayers said no and forced the issue to the ballot. Now they'll decide in a matter of days.
Senate Republican Leader Bruce Starr (R-Dundee) is clear about what comes next: refocus state government on core responsibilities and stop asking already-stretched taxpayers to pay for mission creep.
Watch the full @KATUNews town hall here: https://t.co/3pAbwhiimU
📺 Tonight at 6 PM, Senate Republican Leader Bruce Starr joins @KATUNews LIVE for a town hall on all-things transportation funding. This comes just weeks before YOU decide the fate of Democrats’ $4.3 billion tax and fee hike. Tune in on Channel 2 or at https://t.co/JsvoNQjvri!
.@TinaKotek has made housing her top priority. What does she have to show for it?
Oregon families are spending over a THIRD of their income just to keep a roof over their heads. That puts us 4th worst in the nation for housing unaffordability.
Clearly, things are going well 🥴
https://t.co/0CtQUoy2sd
Yesterday, @GovTinaKotek signed a bill into law yesterday that increases business taxes by $311 million while simultaneously promoting a new prosperity council and hiring a “chief prosperity officer” to improve Oregon’s struggling business climate.
Senate Republican leader, Bruce Starr, said, “The Governor has admitted herself that Oregon’s prosperity is not a given and that we have to act with intention to be more competitive. We need to make it easier to invest here, easier to build here, and easier to create family-wage jobs here.”
Business leaders on the Governor’s own prosperity council have also raised concerns that Senate Bill 1507 undermine the very mission they were asked to support.
Oregon’s tax system is chasing success out of the state. Losing high earners means fewer resources for schools, roads, and public safety while families who choose to stay pay more.
Yet Democrats in the Legislature think taxes aren't high enough and are planning even more.
https://t.co/ZOvQil7tpL
$18,300 more for the basics is not normal. Hardworking Oregonians are being asked to do more with less while their costs keep climbing. It’s time to get serious about lowering costs and restoring affordability. Clearly, Democrat Supermajority politicians are doing the opposite.
https://t.co/umsNa5NHN4
Oregon ranks as the fifth least affordable state in the nation when comparing incomes to the cost of essentials such as housing, groceries, insurance and child care, a report based on federal & state data found.
https://t.co/sZfgxBVrMw
We know what's holding Oregon back and we know how to fix it.
With the right approach on taxes, regulation, housing, and public safety, Oregon can be competitive again.
What stands in the way is a Democrat trifecta that refuses to admit the status quo isn't working.
.@TinaKotek made housing her #1 priority.
Three years later, Portland just recorded its lowest level of homebuilding since 2010.
That’s the opposite of progress. It’s a marker of failure.