Republican Leaders Call Out Governor Kotek for Denying Oregonians the Opportunity to Repeal $4.3 Billion Tax Hike
By Oregon Senate Republican and House Republican Office
SALEM, Ore. — After months of urging state lawmakers to pass a transportation bill, citing impending layoffs and road safety concerns, Governor Tina Kotek has still not signed House Bill 3991, more than two weeks after the Legislature passed it.
After failing to pass House Bill 2025 during the regular session, the Governor called a Special Session over Labor Day weekend to pass a scaled-down version of the bill. However, she was noticeably absent to defend her own legislation, and listen to the majority of Oregonians who opposed to it.
“When leaders believe in their policy, they sign it. The Governor pushed for this $4.3 billion tax package—now she owes it to Oregonians to own it,” said House Republican Leader Lucetta Elmer (R-McMinnville). “If she’s confident it’s the right plan, she should welcome voters’ input, not run out the clock.”
In delaying signing it, the governor is preventing Oregonians from collecting the signatures needed to refer the bill to the ballot for voter approval, which must be done within 90 days of the Legislatures’ adjournment on October 1st.
“This is a calculated move to silence voters,” said Senate Republican Leader Bruce Starr (R-Dundee). “Governor Kotek and the Democrat supermajority know Oregonians would reject this massive tax and fee hike if given the chance. She needs to stop hiding behind procedural delays and sign the bill now.”