A bid to raise Oregon’s gas tax is dividing the state’s Democratic Party and unleashing turmoil in the legislative session’s final days.
HB 2025 aims to raise about $2 billion annually, with the biggest source of that revenue coming from a 15 cent increase to the state gas tax. The money would plug a hole in the state transportation budget that both Republicans and Democrats agree is in dire need of filling.
But support for the package is falling apart as tensions flare and the state Legislature quickly approaches mandatory adjournment Sunday.
On Monday, the Democratic co-chair of the main panel behind the bill — the Joint Committee on Transportation — resigned after he interrupted and shouted at a Republican lawmaker. That blow-up came after state Senate Democrats yanked one of their own members, state Sen. Mark Meek, from the same panel when he threatened to vote against the package.
