Billion-Dollar Transportation Plan Announced in Oregon

"The governor proposed about half a dozen tax and fee increases, including a 2-cent gas tax hike, and more than doubling the annual fees for car title and registration. He also would borrow $600 million, raise the tobacco tax by 2 1/2 cents and take $16 million in lottery money to pay for railroad, mass transit and port projects."

"If approved by the Legislature, the package adds up to Oregon's biggest-ever commitment to transportation."

"Oregon falls $1.3 billion short in maintaining state highways to handle the current level of traffic, state officials estimate. That doesn't include all the deferred maintenance on city and county roadways."

"The tax and fee increases will be controversial when lawmakers convene in January, but business groups are pressuring legislators to boost spending on transportation. The 24-cent state gas tax hasn't been raised since 1993, and inflation has cut its buying power in half while Oregon's population has surged."