As grocery prices remain sky-high and job losses continue across Oregon, Democratic lawmakers have pushed forward with what is shaping up to be the largest tax increase in state history — and they’re doing it without giving voters a voice.
House Bill 2025, a sweeping transportation package, is expected to raise nearly $2 billion per year by 2034, totaling $14.6 billion over the next decade through gas taxes, vehicle fees, and mileage-based charges. The plan was rushed through legislative committees and advanced without ever being put to a public vote — despite its unprecedented scale and impact.
Critics say Oregonians have been shut out of the process entirely, with public hearings held before any actual revenue estimates were made public. And now that the numbers are in, many are shocked.
“We are facing dire economic times,” said Sen. Mark Meek, a Democrat from Gladstone who was removed from a key committee for opposing the bill. “It’s not affordable to Oregonians.”
HB 2025 increases the gas tax by 15 cents per gallon, imposes a 2% sales tax on new cars and 1% on used vehicles over $10,000, and creates a new mileage-based fee for electric and hybrid vehicles. It also raises registration, title, and licensing fees, and institutes commercial delivery surcharges — all while many Oregonians are just trying to keep food on the table.
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Democrats argue the bill is necessary to fund crumbling infrastructure, avoid 1,000 layoffs at the Oregon Department of Transportation, and complete stalled megaprojects in Portland. But the timing and scale of the plan have sparked backlash from both Republicans and moderate Democrats, many of whom say it’s wildly out of step with the economic reality most families are facing.
“There’s a lot of folks being laid off right now,” Meek added. “We need to be very cautious of putting more burden on our families at these trying times.”
At least two Democrats — Meek and Rep. Paul Evans of Monmouth — have publicly broken ranks, calling the bill rushed, poorly balanced, and lacking necessary oversight. Meanwhile, Republicans are already organizing to send the bill to voters, with a political action committee raising nearly $200,000 in just days to force the public vote lawmakers avoided.
“This is out of touch for everyday Oregonians,” said House Minority Leader Christine Drazan. “I will support efforts to refer this outrageous tax package to the voters.”
Lawmakers may argue the plan is necessary for the state’s long-term needs, but for now, one thing is clear: the public didn’t get a say — and many are furious.
