Senate Passes Transit Funding Bill, 20-9 -- Hooray!

The Oregon Senate just passed Senate Bill 34 on a 20-9 vote (Sen. Winters and Sen. Nelson joined all 18 Democrats in support of the bill).

The bill, one of the conservation community's Priorities for a Healthy Oregon, will help Oregon communities to provide more transportation freedom.

Senate Bill 34 allows Oregon’s largest metro areas to enhance transportation choices.

SB 34 allows TriMet (Portland metro) and Lane Transit District (Eugene-Springfield) to increase revenue once the economy improves.

The bill allows a ten year phased-in increase of one-tenth of one percent in payroll fees, from 0.7% to 0.8%, to help ensure everyone has transportation choices.

Reasons to support Senate Bill 34:

• All Oregonians deserve the ability to travel and have transportation choices.
• One quarter of Oregonians – roughly one million people – are too poor, too young, too old, or too infirm to drive.
• About 38% of Oregon’s global warming emissions come from transportation. Single-occupant vehicles are the source of the majority of this pollution.
• Creating affordable choices can save money for struggling Oregonians. About 20% of household budgets go to transportation. In many households, transportation outstrips housing as the single largest expense.
• Federal matching funds require local transit agencies to demonstrate the ability to cover operating costs for the next 20 years.

The bill now heads to the House for consideration.