HB 4008 – Creates Transit Funding Task Force of 21 people to determine the level of funding needed to maintain adequate transit service statewide that is reliable, safe, accessible, and allows for population growth over time. Explore funding mechanisms to meet those needs. Why is there an emergency clause on a task force?
CONTACT LEGISLATORS TO REJECT THIS STUDY AS A BASE FOR LEGISLATION.
The task force shall:
(a) Determine the level of funding needed to maintain adequate transit service statewide
that is reliable, safe and accessible and allows for population growth over time; and
(b) Explore funding mechanisms to achieve the funding needs determined in paragraph
(a) of this subsection
The 21-members are loaded with representation from Metro area. The task force is directed to figure out the cost and funding, which would go to Metro. They are not tasked with how to increase ridership so the transit is self supporting. The “funding mechanism” can only mean new or increased taxes. Are they aimed a free ridership for illegal immigrents?
Prior to the passage of House Bill 2017 (2017) the state provided little in the way of
direct funding for transit operations or capital funding. However, that measure established the Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund (STIF), which provides direct funding for every transit provider in the state, as well as competitive grants to transit providers, through revenue raised by a one-mill (0.1 percent) statewide employee payroll tax.
While ridership has rebounded in many places, in most it still sits below pre-pandemic ridership levels, due in part to an increase in working from home that continues today. As a result, many transit agencies have been forced to consider and institute service cuts, thereby eliminating options here in Oregon that had grown since the institution of the STIF program. If ridership doesn’t support service in some areas, why pay dirvers to drive empty bues around?
Oregonians made it clear that they don’t want more taxes, which is what this task force is directed to figure out that focuses on larger cities, primarily PDX transit.