By Taxpayers Association of Oregon / OregonWatchdog.com
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Senate Bill 1599 has been created and it aims to swap the gas tax referendum election from the November General Election Ballot and places it on the lesser-turn-out election of the May Primary.
The hearing will be held this Monday in the State Capitol at 1:00pm, HR 50 in the Joint Special Committee On Referendum Petition 2026-302. More hearing info here.
Please testify and make a stand for the will of the voters.
#1. You can testify in person, or you can testify online. To testify go here and hit the online testify tab or the register to testify tab.
#2. You can call/email the likely yes vote members:
Senator Kayse Jama,
Co-Chair
503-986-1724
Sen.KayseJama@oregonlegislature.gov
Representative David Gomberg,
Co-Chair
503-986-1410
Rep.DavidGomberg@oregonlegislature.gov
Senator Khanh Pham
503-986-1723
Sen.KhanhPham@oregonlegislature.gov
Representative Willy Chotzen
503-986-1446
Rep.WillyChotzen@oregonlegislature.gov
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Here is the Taxpayers Association of Oregon testimony:
No on SB 1599
As one of the Chief Petitioners to the gas tax referendum, I strongly oppose SB 1599
At every step of the gas tax process, we have been met with unfairness and disregard for citizen input and transparency.
• Ram-rodding the original gas tax during the final days of Session.
• Undue hostile pressure/controversy to force lawmakers to vote yes.
• Ram-rodding a hearing on Labor Day weekend.
• Governor’s delaying the time citizens had to collect signatures.
• Governor’s secret Friday night signing (and then hid for 3-days)
Now, we face another unfair disregard of voters by swapping out the election date from the popular General Election, to instead, be in May when voter turn-out is much less.
Can the Legislature just be normal and fair for a moment?
Voters signed the referendum petition where it clearly states on the front page, in bold, that the election will be November 2026. Please honor what voters signed.
Lawmakers should read the Sunday Oregonian Editorial; “Lessons from a transportation disaster” (1/10/26) which urges lawmakers to stop the dysfunction over this tax.
Sincerely,
Jason Williams
Director & Founder of the Taxpayers Association of Oregon
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