Pirate's Cove

Really, if the Oregon voter is registered Democrats they should have their gas taxes raised, because they voted for the people trying to raise them. If registered Republican, well, first, why are you still in the state?

Oregon Democrats found a way to improve roads. Now their gas tax goes before voters as prices soar

Appealing to voters’ anxieties about the soaring cost of living is central to Democrats’ messaging in their hopes of big wins in this year’s midterm elections. In Oregon, a question on the primary ballot is complicating that strategy.

The Democratic-controlled Legislature raised the state gas tax and a range of fees last fall as a way to pay for road improvements and plug a hole in the state’s transportation budget. Republicans responded with a petition to repeal the increases, leading to a referendum that will land before voters just as the Iran war is causing the price of gas to skyrocket around the United States.

“It is a hell of a time to be raising gas taxes on people,” said Jeanine Holly, filling up her tank on a recent morning in Portland.

The gas tax repeal on the state’s May 19 primary ballot comes amid widespread disruptions in the oil industry from the war with Iran started by Israel and President Donald Trump. Discontent is high among U.S. consumers across the political spectrum, with the price of gas topping $4.50 a gallon nationally on Friday and averaging about 80 cents more per gallon in Oregon.

Oh, please, their gas tax was already high, and the Democrats and their pet media were not complaining when the gas was high under Biden. Heck, they were saying everything was fine.

The referendum will give voters a chance to weigh in on a hot-button issue hitting them directly in the pocketbook at a time when prices remain elevated for everything from housing to groceries. Nationally, Democrats have focused on the affordability concerns similar to those that helped propel Trump to victory in 2024. Some of their candidates have even proposed ways to cut taxes as a way to promote their agenda and counter a traditional GOP strategy.

“It’s difficult to imagine a worse situation for … a gas tax increase than right now in American politics,” said Chris Koski, professor of political science and environmental studies at Portland’s Reed College.

Here’s the thing, and I started mentioning it all the way back in Obama’s first term: revenues from gas taxes were dropping quite a bit due to the enforced higher CAFE standards for vehicles. The push for hybrids. All for the mythical ‘climate change’. If people are getting much better MPG, then they do not buy as much gas, hence, less revenue. I have a bit over 1,000 miles on the CRV hybrid I leased on March 25, with an average fuel economy up to 38.7 at this point. I’m on my 3rd tank of gas, including what came with, which was full. So, I’m paying a lot less in taxes, right? But, this is what they tried to force us into (I love my hybrid, loved the Accord hybrid before, and will probably always get one. Love the MPGs, and has pretty good power).

EVs? They do not pay any gas tax. Sure, their property taxes/and or registrations cost a lot more, but, does that make up for the lost revenue? No.

Republicans wasted no time in appealing to voters after the Legislature and Democratic governor signed off on the tax increase, which also included a higher payroll tax for transit projects and a boost in vehicle registration and title fees.

They needed 78,000 voter signatures to qualify the referendum for the ballot. They quickly got 250,000.

“That is a remarkable number,” said Republican strategist Rebecca Tweed.

But, will Oregonians vote to block the increases, if the general assembly doesn’t find a way to stop the referendum? Democrat voters should be happy to pay the taxes and fees.

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