On Tuesday March 28th the Joint Ways and Means Subcommittee on Transportation and Economic Development took public testimony on the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) proposed 2017-2019 budget. AOC Transportation Co-Chair Commissioner Sid Leiken testified in favor of the budget and stressed the great partnership between ODOT and Oregon counties. He noted that Oregon is a model for other states around the country in regards to the collaboration between the state and local governments, as well as the local Area Commission’s on Transportation (Commissioner Leiken chairs the Lane ACT) which develop the projects that eventually become part of the Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan. Commissioner Leiken also stressed the importance of the legislature finding a path forward on the passage of a significant transportation funding package in 2017.

Contributed by: Mike Eliason | AOC Transportation Steering Committee Policy Manager