As Oregon lawmakers debate whether to move up a vote on proposed gas tax and fee increases, they have missed a recommended deadline from state election officials — a delay Secretary of State Tobias Read says could limit public participation.
Read sent a memo Wednesday regarding Senate Bill 1599, which would shift a planned November vote on new transportation taxes to the May 19 primary election.
The proposal would raise the state gas tax by 6 cents, significantly increase vehicle registration and titling fees, and temporarily double a payroll tax that funds public transit.
Last month, Read’s office advised lawmakers to pass the bill by Feb. 25 to ensure enough time for Oregonians to submit statements supporting or opposing the measure in the state voters’ pamphlet. While SB 1599 passed the Senate earlier this week, it remains under consideration in the House and is unlikely to meet that timeline.
“This is the deadline our team recommended to ensure that Oregonians have a fair and equal chance to participate in the voters’ pamphlet process related to this referendum, should it be on the ballot in May,” Read wrote to legislative leaders.
Under Oregon law, residents can include a statement in the voters’ pamphlet by paying a $1,200 fee or by collecting 500 signatures from registered voters. Read warned that each passing day makes it harder for people to gather signatures as an alternative to paying the fee.
“Every day that passes makes it more challenging for my office to provide Oregonians with a free alternative to paying a $1,200 fee,” he wrote. “This could impact Oregonians’ ability to make an informed decision about the referendum and for proponents or opponents to make their voices heard.”
Republican lawmakers who oppose moving the vote to May quickly echoed Read’s concerns. Senate Minority Leader Bruce Starr, R-Dundee, said the bill should be considered dead and accused majority Democrats of prioritizing politics over public input.
Opponents of the proposed taxes have already demonstrated significant organizing strength. They gathered roughly 250,000 signatures in recent weeks to refer the transportation package to voters.
Read also noted that verifying signatures under a compressed timeline would require substantial staff resources ahead of the March 12 deadline for voters’ pamphlet submissions.
“I strongly advise you to work with urgency to resolve this issue,” he wrote.
Lawmakers continue to weigh whether to proceed with the May election date despite the logistical and legal concerns raised by the secretary of state’s office.
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