IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday May 21, 2009                                                                           

Republican Chairman Bob Tiernan questions proposed raise in gas taxes

PORTLAND, Ore. – While Democrats in Salem continue to look for new taxes as their solution to the current budget crisis, Chairman Bob Tiernan today questioned the need to raise the gas tax, registration and vehicle fees. 

The transportation package and proposed tax increases will be heard this evening by a special committee of the Oregon legislature.

The bill would raise the gas tax by 6 cents a gallon and vehicle registration fees from $27 to $43, beginning later this year and to be phased in by 2011. The bill would be used on legislatively selected road projects.

“This is the wrong time for major increases in Oregon’s gas tax and vehicle registration and licensing fees.  We saw it this week in Springfield – Oregonians are not willing to pay higher gas taxes.  These proposed tax increases will impact Oregonians across the state.  While road improvements are important, many Oregonians are having a hard time paying their bills, keeping their mortgages, and worried about keeping their jobs, if they still have them,” Chairman Tiernan said.

“Raising taxes at this time is a job killer. The timing of this tax increase will only deepen the current recession and prolong our recovery.  What we really need is for our elected officials to focus on ways to create long-term jobs and grow Oregon’s economy instead of proposing hundreds of new tax and fee increases,” Tiernan concluded.

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