Transportation bill passes out of committee, but road blocks remain – BikePortland

Report on Oregon’s Transportation Funding Package and Its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Overview of House Bill 2025

With one week remaining in the legislative session, Oregon’s transportation funding package, House Bill 2025 (HB 2025), faces significant challenges. The bill aims to provide a critical funding lifeline for the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) as it transitions away from reliance on the gas tax and addresses the deteriorating highway fund.

HB 2025 proposes to raise $14.6 billion over the next decade through multiple tax increases and new funding sources. The funds are intended for:

• Bridge and road maintenance
• Freeway expansion projects
• Safe routes to schools
• Urban highway updates
• New off-street paths
• Public transit improvements

This comprehensive approach aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:

1. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – through infrastructure upgrades and maintenance.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – by promoting safe routes to schools, public transit, and bicycle infrastructure.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action – supporting transition from fossil fuel dependence and encouraging sustainable transportation modes.

Legislative Process and Political Dynamics

An amended version of HB 2025 (-23 amendment) passed the Joint Committee on Transportation Reinvestment on a party-line vote of 7-5. The passage required a procedural maneuver by Senate President Rob Wagner, who replaced a dissenting Democratic committee member to secure the necessary votes.

The committee meeting was marked by significant disagreements, including a public confrontation between committee members. Republican Co-Vice Chair Shelly Boshart Davis strongly opposed the bill, advocating for a version that would eliminate state funding for transit, safe routes to schools, and bicycle infrastructure, effectively repealing the 1977 Bicycle Bill. This alternative proposal (-8 amendment) failed 8-4.

Opposition and Support Perspectives

• Opposition Views:
  • Republicans criticize HB 2025 as a significant tax increase and oppose expanding ODOT’s focus beyond car infrastructure.
  • Concerns were raised about the legislative process, citing insufficient public input and late release of fiscal analyses.
  • Calls for repealing funding for sustainable transportation modes contradict SDGs related to sustainable cities and climate action.
• Supporter Views:
  • Democrats emphasize the bill’s importance for investing in infrastructure critical to community health and economic vitality.
  • Supporters highlight the alignment with SDGs by promoting multimodal transportation, safety, and environmental sustainability.
  • Legislators like Portland Democrat Khanh Pham underscore the responsibility to govern for long-term state benefits.

Legislative Challenges and Future Outlook

Despite a Democratic super-majority, HB 2025 faces obstacles including:

• Strong Republican opposition threatening voter referral and legislative walkouts.
• Internal committee conflicts and calls for censure of committee members.
• Delays in scheduling further committee meetings and amendments.

Recent developments include Senate President Rob Wagner and Senator Chris Gorsek stepping down from the committee, with three new members appointed and HB 2025 rereferred for further consideration. House Speaker Julie Fahey is reportedly working with moderate Democrats to amend the bill to ensure passage.

Conclusion: HB 2025 and the Sustainable Development Goals

HB 2025 represents a significant legislative effort to fund sustainable transportation infrastructure in Oregon. Its focus on multimodal transportation, safety, and infrastructure resilience directly supports the achievement of key Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

However, political divisions and procedural challenges highlight the complexities of advancing sustainable development initiatives within a polarized legislative environment. The outcome of HB 2025 will have lasting impacts on Oregon’s ability to meet its sustainable transportation and environmental objectives.

Image Caption

Joint Committee on Transportation Reinvestment at their meeting on Friday.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • The article discusses transportation infrastructure funding, including bridge and road maintenance, freeway expansion, and urban highway updates.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Focus on safe routes to schools, public transit, bicycle infrastructure, and off-street paths aligns with creating sustainable urban environments.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The transition away from the gas tax and investments in transit and cycling infrastructure imply efforts to reduce carbon emissions from transportation.
4. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Safe routes to schools and bicycle infrastructure promote active transportation, contributing to better health outcomes.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 9 Targets
   • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being.
2. SDG 11 Targets
   • Target 11.2: Provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport.
   • Target 11.7: Provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible green and public spaces, particularly for vulnerable populations.
3. SDG 13 Targets
   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.
4. SDG 3 Targets
   • Target 3.6: By 2020, halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. SDG 9 Indicators
   • Indicator 9.1.1: Proportion of the rural population who live within 2 km of an all-season road (implied by focus on road and bridge maintenance).
   • Indicator 9.1.2: Passenger and freight volumes, by mode of transport (implied by investments in freeway expansion and public transit).
2. SDG 11 Indicators
   • Indicator 11.2.1: Proportion of population that has convenient access to public transport, by sex, age and persons with disabilities (implied by funding for public transit and safe routes to schools).
   • Indicator 11.7.1: Average share of the built-up area of cities that is open space for public use (implied by new off-street paths and bicycle infrastructure).
3. SDG 13 Indicators
   • Indicator 13.2.2: Total greenhouse gas emissions per year (implied by transition away from gas tax and promoting sustainable transport).
4. SDG 3 Indicators
   • Indicator 3.6.1: Death rate due to road traffic injuries (implied by focus on safe routes to schools and transportation safety).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: bikeportland.org