Oregon Governor Proposes Higher Gas Tax, Vehicle Fees to Fund ODOT

Gov. Kotel called a special legislative session in late August to address the budget gap at the state transportation department.

1 minute read

July 28, 2025, 7:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Portland Bus Lane

Paul Sableman / Flickr

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek is proposing a gas tax increase and higher vehicle registration fees to help fund public transit in the state, reports Barney Lerten for KTVZ 21 News. Last week, TriMet announced a series of planned service cuts in anticipation of funding cuts.

The governor called a special legislative session on August 29 to address the Department of Transportation’s budget gap, delaying planned layoffs at ODOT. Under the governor’s proposal, “Vehicle registration fees would rise by $52 for the base fee and add a $30 supplemental fee for electric vehicles, while title fees would be increased by $139.”

In addition to transit, the governor noted that closing ODOT’s funding gap would also maintain key services like brush clearing and snow plowing.

Thursday, July 24, 2025 in KTVZ

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

3 hours ago - Zachary Whalen

Overlapping highways

The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin

People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.

September 8, 2026 - Benjamin Schneider

The Hoover Dam blocking the Colorado River. The river's water level is noticeably low. The cliffs surrounding the blue water are brown and jagged.

US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico

A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.

September 11, 2026 - The Arizona Republic

People boarding a bus on Maryland's Orange Route.

Baltimore to break ground on $50 million Transit Priority Project

The project will bring faster bus trips, safer streets and better bike connections to Baltimore.

1 minute ago - Mass Transit

A brick building with a circular sign with the Airbnb logo hanging off of it.

Airbnb launches $250 million 'last-dollar financing' housing accelerator, makes first investment in Austin

The company will put $6.4 million towards affordable housing development in Texas’ capital.

1 hour ago - Smart Cities Dive

One side of the image shows a Chicago bus stop without a bench, the second image shows the bus stop with a yellow and blue bench.

Guerilla urbanists are building DIY bus stop benches in Chicago

A before-and-after of one of the bus stops with a new bench. The new benches are not officially sanctioned or permitted, but the residents who placed them hope they will be the start of a network of DIY benches across the city.

2 hours ago - Block Club Chicago

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.