AEE PAC Transportation Funding Update
Dear AEE Members,
As of this week, the Oregon Transportation Reinvestment Package (TRIP) is still under active consideration in the 2025 Legislative Session. The proposal aims to generate $1.9 billion per biennium through increases in fuel taxes, vehicle registration fees, and a new system use fee. Ninety percent of these funds would be allocated toward maintaining and improving transportation infrastructure.
Oregon Transportation Reinvestment Package (TRIP) 2025 – Starting Point
A projected total of $1.9 billion per biennium into the State Highway Fund Note: Of the $1.9 billion the package raises from the fuel tax and vehicle registration fee increases, $1.7 billion of that will be distributed via the traditional “50/30/20” State Highway Fund formula that sends 50% of revenue to the state (about $850 million), 30% to counties (about $510 million) and 20% (about $340 million) to cities. Lawmakers reveal $1.9 billion transportation funding package framework
2025-2027 Agency Request Budget
In the 2025-2027 ARB, the agency’s O&M functions face a shortfall of $354 million from the Current Service Level (CSL) budget. ODOT has estimated that the additional O&M funding needed to close the current gap and address these issues is about $900 million a biennium.
2025-2024 Governor's Budget
The budget assumes new Other Funds revenue totaling $1.75 billion will be developed through customary means
This week Media Links:
OPB: Oregon lawmakers are now considering a ‘cap-and-trade’ program to fund roads, wildfire prevention
Statesman Journal : New carbon emissions program emerges as way to help fund Oregon transportation
KATU 2 Video : Oregon lawmakers far apart on transportation funding proposals as session deadline looms
Please note that the last day to sign a bill in the Oregon Legislative Assembly is June 29, 2025, also known as the constitutional sine die. If legislators cannot agree on a bill by the end of June, special legislation will be required. However, it may be too late to avoid a reduction within the agency.
Why It Matters to AEE Members:
This funding directly affects the job security and workload of ODOT engineers and technical staff. Without it, the agency faces a projected $354 million shortfall, which may result in project delays, hiring freezes, and service reductions.
How You Can Help:
Contact Your Legislators: Support stable transportation funding that protects public engineering roles. https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/
Provide Testimony: Submit written or in-person testimony when TRIP-related hearings are announced. AEE can assist in drafting or reviewing your comments. You can submit written testimony through the OLIS Testimony Submission Form. Oregon Legislative Information System
Stay Engaged: Visit the Joint Committee on Transportation Reinvestment Overview to track progress and updates related to transportation funding bills. Transportation Reinvestment Joint 2025 Regular Session - Oregon Legislative Information System
If you support funding transportation in Oregon, provide testimony to the Joint Transportation Committee, and write a message or call your representative. Please get in touch with us at aeepac@aeeo.org or office@aeeo.org.
Thank you for being a voice for Oregon’s public transportation employees.
In solidarity,
Association of Engineering Employees of Oregon (AEE) Political Action Committee.
AEE | PO Box 13428, Salem, OR 97309 | AEEO.org
Association of Engineering Employees of Oregon | PO Box 13428 | Salem, OR 97309 US