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The Hill
19-03-2025
- Automotive
- The Hill
Electric vehicle owners don't buy gas. States look for other ways to pay for roads and bridges.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The pothole outside Timothy Taylor's home was so deep, he could hear the clunk of cars hitting it from inside his house. The Portland, Oregon, resident could sympathize with those drivers: He knew to avoid his own neighborhood pothole, but another one damaged his car's suspension to the tune of $1,000. 'Hearing that awful sound of your car bottoming out — it's horrible,' he said. Oregon transportation officials say that without more funding, residents like Taylor could see further declines in the quality of roads, highways and bridges starting this year. But revenues from gas taxes paid by drivers at the pump are projected to decrease as more people adopt electric and fuel-efficient cars, forcing officials to look for new ways to fund transportation infrastructure. States with aggressive climate goals like Oregon face a conundrum: EVs can help reduce emissions in the transportation sector, the nation's largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, but they also mean less gas tax revenue in government coffers. 'We now find ourselves right now in a position where we want to address fuel use and drive down reliance on gases and internal combustion engines. But we need the funds to operate our roads that EVs need to use as well,' said Carra Sahler, director of the Green Energy Institute at Lewis & Clark Law School. Gas tax revenue is set to fall Motor fuel taxes are the largest source of transportation revenue for states, according to the National Association of State Budget Officers' most recent report on state expenditures. But the money they bring in has fallen: Gas taxes raised 41% of transportation revenue in fiscal year 2016, compared with roughly 36% in fiscal year 2024, the group found. In California, where zero-emission vehicles accounted for about a quarter of car sales last year, legislative analysts predict gas tax collections will decrease by $5 billion — or 64% — by 2035, in a scenario where the state successfully meets its climate goals. California and Oregon are among the multiple states that will require all new passenger cars sold to be zero-emission vehicles by 2035. The downward revenue trend is already playing out in Pennsylvania, where gas tax revenues dropped an estimated $250 million last year compared with 2019, according to the state's independent fiscal office. Inflation has also driven up the cost of transportation materials, exacerbating budget concerns. What is going on in Oregon? The Oregon Department of Transportation — citing inflation, projections of declining gas tax revenues and certain spending limitations — has estimated a shortfall topping $350 million for the next budget cycle. That could mean cuts to winter snow plowing and the striping and paving of roads, as well as layoffs of as many as 1,000 transportation employees. Republican lawmakers say the gas tax revenue issue has been compounded by the department mismanaging its money. An audit released in January found the department overestimated its revenue for the current budget cycle by over $1 billion and failed to properly track certain funds. 'It really is about making sure that the existing dollars that are being spent by the department are being spent efficiently and effectively,' said state Sen. Bruce Starr, GOP co-vice chair of the joint transportation committee. How states are boosting transportation funding To make up for lost revenue, 34 states have raised their gas tax since 2013, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. California has the highest gas tax at over 69 cents a gallon when including other taxes and fees, while Alaska has the lowest at 9 cents a gallon, according to figures from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. In Oregon — which in 1919 became the first state to implement a gas tax — it is 40 cents a gallon. The federal gas tax of 18 cents a gallon, which isn't adjusted for inflation, hasn't been raised in over three decades. In Oregon, where there is no sales tax and tolling has met fierce opposition, lawmakers are debating next steps. Oregon is among the states that have already raised registration fees for EVs. Other states have taken such steps as indexing their gas tax to inflation, raising registration fees for EVs and taxing EV charging stations. To bolster transportation dollars, some have reorganized their budgets. In Michigan, where Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was first elected using the slogan 'Fix the Damn Roads,' some revenues from marijuana taxes and personal income taxes now go toward transportation. In Connecticut, the sales tax now brings in more money for its special transportation fund than gas tax revenues, a 2024 fiscal report shows. Another concept that could provide a long-term solution is what are often known as a road user charge. Under such a system, drivers pay a fee based on the distance they travel. In 2023, Hawaii established a road usage charge program for EV drivers that will phase in starting this July. In 2028, all EV drivers will be automatically enrolled, with odometers read at annual vehicle inspections. Three other states — Oregon, Utah and Virginia — have voluntary road usage fee programs. Drivers can opt to use GPS tools to track and report their mileage.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Electric vehicle owners don't buy gas. States look for other ways to pay for roads and bridges.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The pothole outside Timothy Taylor's home was so deep, he could hear the clunk of cars hitting it from inside his house. The Portland, Oregon, resident could sympathize with those drivers: He knew to avoid his own neighborhood pothole, but another one damaged his car's suspension to the tune of $1,000. 'Hearing that awful sound of your car bottoming out — it's horrible," he said. Oregon transportation officials say that without more funding, residents like Taylor could see further declines in the quality of roads, highways and bridges starting this year. But revenues from gas taxes paid by drivers at the pump are projected to decrease as more people adopt electric and fuel-efficient cars, forcing officials to look for new ways to fund transportation infrastructure. States with aggressive climate goals like Oregon are facing a conundrum: EVs can help reduce emissions in the transportation sector, the nation's largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, but they also mean less gas tax revenue in government coffers. 'We now find ourselves right now in a position where we want to address fuel use and drive down reliance on gases and internal combustion engines. But we need the funds to operate our roads that EVs need to use as well,' said Carra Sahler, director of the Green Energy Institute at Lewis & Clark Law School. Gas tax revenue is set to fall Motor fuel taxes are the largest source of transportation revenue for states, according to the National Association of Budget Officers' most recent report on state expenditures. But the money they bring in has fallen: Gas taxes raised 41% of transportation revenue in fiscal year 2016, compared with roughly 36% in fiscal year 2024, the group found. In California, where zero-emission vehicles accounted for about a quarter of all car sales last year, legislative analysts predict gas tax collections will decrease by $5 billion — or 64% — by 2035, in a scenario where the state successfully meets its climate goals. California and Oregon are among the multiple states that will require all new passenger cars sold to be zero-emission vehicles by 2035. The downward revenue trend is already playing out in Pennsylvania, where gas tax revenues dropped an estimated $250 million last year compared with 2019, according to the state's independent fiscal office. Inflation has also driven up the cost of transportation materials, further exacerbating budget concerns. What is going on in Oregon? The Oregon Department of Transportation — citing inflation, projections of declining gas tax revenues and certain spending limitations — has estimated a budget shortfall topping $350 million for the next budget cycle. That could mean cuts to winter snow plowing and the striping and paving of roads, as well as layoffs of as many as 1,000 transportation employees. Republican lawmakers say the gas tax revenue issue has been compounded by the department mismanaging its money. An audit released in January found the department overestimated its revenue for the current budget cycle by over $1 billion and failed to properly track certain funds. 'It really is about making sure that the existing dollars that are being spent by the department are being spent efficiently and effectively,' said state Sen. Bruce Starr, GOP co-vice chair of the joint transportation committee. How states are boosting transportation funding To make up for lost revenue, 34 states have raised their gas tax since 2013, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. California has the highest gas tax at over 69 cents a gallon when including other taxes and fees, while Alaska has the lowest at 9 cents a gallon, according to figures from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. In Oregon — which in 1919 became the first state to implement a gas tax — it is 40 cents a gallon. The federal gas tax of 18 cents a gallon, which isn't adjusted for inflation, hasn't been raised in over three decades. In Oregon, where there is no sales tax and tolling has met fierce opposition, lawmakers are debating next steps. Other states have taken steps ranging from indexing their gas tax to inflation, to raising registration fees for EVs, to taxing EV charging stations. To bolster transportation dollars, some have reorganized their budgets: In Michigan, where Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was first elected using the slogan 'Fix the Damn Roads,' some revenues from marijuana taxes and personal income taxes now go toward transportation. In Connecticut, the sales tax now brings in more money for its special transportation fund than gas tax revenues, a 2024 fiscal report shows. Another concept that could provide a long-term solution is a so-called road user charge. Under such a system, drivers pay a fee based on the distance they travel. In 2023, Hawaii established a road usage charge program for EV drivers that will phase in starting this July. In 2028, all EV drivers will be automatically enrolled, with odometers read at annual vehicle inspections. Three other states — Oregon, Utah and Virginia — have voluntary road usage fee programs. Drivers can opt to use GPS tools to track and report their mileage.
Associated Press
18-03-2025
- Automotive
- Associated Press
Electric vehicle owners don't buy gas. States look for other ways to pay for roads and bridges.
Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year] PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The pothole outside Timothy Taylor's home was so deep, he could hear the clunk of cars hitting it from inside his house. The Portland, Oregon, resident could sympathize with those drivers: He knew to avoid his own neighborhood pothole, but another one damaged his car's suspension to the tune of $1,000. 'Hearing that awful sound of your car bottoming out — it's horrible,' he said. Oregon transportation officials say that without more funding, residents like Taylor could see further declines in the quality of roads, highways and bridges starting this year. But revenues from gas taxes paid by drivers at the pump are projected to decrease as more people adopt electric and fuel-efficient cars, forcing officials to look for new ways to fund transportation infrastructure. States with aggressive climate goals like Oregon are facing a conundrum: EVs can help reduce emissions in the transportation sector, the nation's largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, but they also mean less gas tax revenue in government coffers. 'We now find ourselves right now in a position where we want to address fuel use and drive down reliance on gases and internal combustion engines. But we need the funds to operate our roads that EVs need to use as well,' said Carra Sahler, director of the Green Energy Institute at Lewis & Clark Law School. Gas tax revenue is set to fall Motor fuel taxes are the largest source of transportation revenue for states, according to the National Association of Budget Officers' most recent report on state expenditures . But the money they bring in has fallen: Gas taxes raised 41% of transportation revenue in fiscal year 2016, compared with roughly 36% in fiscal year 2024, the group found. In California, where zero-emission vehicles accounted for about a quarter of all car sales last year, legislative analysts predict gas tax collections will decrease by $5 billion — or 64% — by 2035, in a scenario where the state successfully meets its climate goals. California and Oregon are among the multiple states that will require all new passenger cars sold to be zero-emission vehicles by 2035. The downward revenue trend is already playing out in Pennsylvania, where gas tax revenues dropped an estimated $250 million last year compared with 2019, according to the state's independent fiscal office . Inflation has also driven up the cost of transportation materials, further exacerbating budget concerns. What is going on in Oregon? The Oregon Department of Transportation — citing inflation, projections of declining gas tax revenues and certain spending limitations — has estimated a budget shortfall topping $350 million for the next budget cycle. That could mean cuts to winter snow plowing and the striping and paving of roads, as well as layoffs of as many as 1,000 transportation employees. Republican lawmakers say the gas tax revenue issue has been compounded by the department mismanaging its money. An audit released in January found the department overestimated its revenue for the current budget cycle by over $1 billion and failed to properly track certain funds. 'It really is about making sure that the existing dollars that are being spent by the department are being spent efficiently and effectively,' said state Sen. Bruce Starr, GOP co-vice chair of the joint transportation committee. How states are boosting transportation funding To make up for lost revenue, 34 states have raised their gas tax since 2013, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. California has the highest gas tax at over 69 cents a gallon when including other taxes and fees, while Alaska has the lowest at 9 cents a gallon, according to figures from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. In Oregon — which in 1919 became the first state to implement a gas tax — it is 40 cents a gallon. The federal gas tax of 18 cents a gallon, which isn't adjusted for inflation, hasn't been raised in over three decades. In Oregon, where there is no sales tax and tolling has met fierce opposition , lawmakers are debating next steps. Other states have taken steps ranging from indexing their gas tax to inflation, to raising registration fees for EVs, to taxing EV charging stations. To bolster transportation dollars, some have reorganized their budgets: In Michigan, where Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was first elected using the slogan 'Fix the Damn Roads,' some revenues from marijuana taxes and personal income taxes now go toward transportation. In Connecticut, the sales tax now brings in more money for its special transportation fund than gas tax revenues, a 2024 fiscal report shows. Another concept that could provide a long-term solution is a so-called road user charge . Under such a system, drivers pay a fee based on the distance they travel. In 2023, Hawaii established a road usage charge program for EV drivers that will phase in starting this July. In 2028, all EV drivers will be automatically enrolled, with odometers read at annual vehicle inspections. Three other states — Oregon, Utah and Virginia — have voluntary road usage fee programs. Drivers can opt to use GPS tools to track and report their mileage.
The Independent
18-03-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
Electric vehicle owners don't buy gas. States look for other ways to pay for roads and bridges.
The pothole outside Timothy Taylor's home was so deep, he could hear the clunk of cars hitting it from inside his house. The Portland, Oregon, resident could sympathize with those drivers: He knew to avoid his own neighborhood pothole, but another one damaged his car's suspension to the tune of $1,000. 'Hearing that awful sound of your car bottoming out — it's horrible," he said. Oregon transportation officials say that without more funding, residents like Taylor could see further declines in the quality of roads, highways and bridges starting this year. But revenues from gas taxes paid by drivers at the pump are projected to decrease as more people adopt electric and fuel-efficient cars, forcing officials to look for new ways to fund transportation infrastructure. States with aggressive climate goals like Oregon are facing a conundrum: EVs can help reduce emissions in the transportation sector, the nation's largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, but they also mean less gas tax revenue in government coffers. 'We now find ourselves right now in a position where we want to address fuel use and drive down reliance on gases and internal combustion engines. But we need the funds to operate our roads that EVs need to use as well,' said Carra Sahler, director of the Green Energy Institute at Lewis & Clark Law School. Gas tax revenue is set to fall Motor fuel taxes are the largest source of transportation revenue for states, according to the National Association of Budget Officers' most recent report on state expenditures. But the money they bring in has fallen: Gas taxes raised 41% of transportation revenue in fiscal year 2016, compared with roughly 36% in fiscal year 2024, the group found. In California, where zero-emission vehicles accounted for about a quarter of all car sales last year, legislative analysts predict gas tax collections will decrease by $5 billion — or 64% — by 2035, in a scenario where the state successfully meets its climate goals. California and Oregon are among the multiple states that will require all new passenger cars sold to be zero-emission vehicles by 2035. The downward revenue trend is already playing out in Pennsylvania, where gas tax revenues dropped an estimated $250 million last year compared with 2019, according to the state's independent fiscal office. Inflation has also driven up the cost of transportation materials, further exacerbating budget concerns. What is going on in Oregon? The Oregon Department of Transportation — citing inflation, projections of declining gas tax revenues and certain spending limitations — has estimated a budget shortfall topping $350 million for the next budget cycle. That could mean cuts to winter snow plowing and the striping and paving of roads, as well as layoffs of as many as 1,000 transportation employees. Republican lawmakers say the gas tax revenue issue has been compounded by the department mismanaging its money. An audit released in January found the department overestimated its revenue for the current budget cycle by over $1 billion and failed to properly track certain funds. 'It really is about making sure that the existing dollars that are being spent by the department are being spent efficiently and effectively,' said state Sen. Bruce Starr, GOP co-vice chair of the joint transportation committee. How states are boosting transportation funding To make up for lost revenue, 34 states have raised their gas tax since 2013, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. California has the highest gas tax at over 69 cents a gallon when including other taxes and fees, while Alaska has the lowest at 9 cents a gallon, according to figures from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. In Oregon — which in 1919 became the first state to implement a gas tax — it is 40 cents a gallon. The federal gas tax of 18 cents a gallon, which isn't adjusted for inflation, hasn't been raised in over three decades. In Oregon, where there is no sales tax and tolling has met fierce opposition, lawmakers are debating next steps. Other states have taken steps ranging from indexing their gas tax to inflation, to raising registration fees for EVs, to taxing EV charging stations. To bolster transportation dollars, some have reorganized their budgets: In Michigan, where Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was first elected using the slogan 'Fix the Damn Roads,' some revenues from marijuana taxes and personal income taxes now go toward transportation. In Connecticut, the sales tax now brings in more money for its special transportation fund than gas tax revenues, a 2024 fiscal report shows. Another concept that could provide a long-term solution is a so-called road user charge. Under such a system, drivers pay a fee based on the distance they travel. In 2023, Hawaii established a road usage charge program for EV drivers that will phase in starting this July. In 2028, all EV drivers will be automatically enrolled, with odometers read at annual vehicle inspections. Three other states — Oregon, Utah and Virginia — have voluntary road usage fee programs. Drivers can opt to use GPS tools to track and report their mileage.
Yahoo
23-02-2025
- Yahoo
MultCo District Attorney Nathan Vasquez reflects on his first two months in office
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – It's been a couple of months since Nathan Vasquez officially became Multnomah County's new district attorney. He defeated the incumbent — and — Mike Schmidt in a May election last year by winning 53% of the vote. He stepped into office in January 2025. Beaverton man 'overjoyed' to claim first Powerball jackpot of 2025 A graduate of Lewis & Clark Law School, Vasquez has spent his career in the Multnomah County DA's office, going from intern to lead prosecutor — and now DA. In a recent case, returned to court after being charged with three Class-A Misdemeanors related to the fentanyl overdose death of 15-year-old Lauren Dominguez. Investigators said he was there when his son and Lauren were doing the drugs at his Northeast Portland home. Court documents indicate he admitted to the crimes a few days before she passed, saying he saw his son and Lauren using pills and saw Lauren crush up blue pills and snort them at his house. But why move forward with only misdemeanors in this case? Vasquez explained that the family had spent years begging for justice after there were no criminal charges against Rahnamoon. This led them to ask him to reconsider the case once he was in office. 'You know, we weren't able to determine who provided her [Lauren] with the fentanyl, but certainly we looked at Mr. Rahnamoon and his role in this death and decided that charges were appropriate,' he said. Oregon USDA scientist fears 'cooling effect' after Trump admin layoffs hit Hood River research facility After his first court appearance on Feb. 11, Rahnamoon was supposed to check in with authorities, but Vasquez ended up seeing him on the street. 'Well, I knew at that point in time he had a warrant out for his arrest, and this family, they deserve justice. It's been delayed too long; this needs to go forward,' he said. 'I saw a sheriff's deputy, and I do what I hope anyone does: I took action. I told the sheriff's deputy, 'He has a warrant, he needs to be taken into custody,' and that sheriff's deputy acted appropriately.' Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Amid an ongoing fentanyl crisis in Oregon, Vasquez said he expects to . 'This office is very intentional in not only going after the ones that are out there right now,' he said. 'We're going over the past few years and looking at cases that have been languishing and saying, 'Hey, can we bring those forward appropriately?' He also commented on a case that took place last spring at Portland State University, where there was a protest against the U.S. government's role in Gaza. Around 30 people were arrested. What could March look like in Portland? However, several of those cases have since been dismissed because video footage of the incidents were not turned over to defense attorneys. Vasquez shared his thoughts. 'Kind of an odd case in that it was one where video footage was taken by police, and there's a state law that prohibits them from retaining it. We certainly asked for that footage from the police; they told us they didn't retain it and that they didn't have it, so we didn't believe that it existed,' Vasquez said. 'We later found out that they had given it to the city attorney's office, who had retained it. Unfortunately, we were unaware of that. Now, I'm as disappointed as anyone that these cases weren't able to go forward and so I've taken some very direct actions to make sure this doesn't happen again.' Vasquez also addressed ongoing issues with public defense and jail staffing, property crimes, and Trump's crackdown on immigration. Watch the full interview in the video player above. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
