A D V E R T I S E M E N T
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
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Multnomah County will no longer have to ask its cities and other jurisdictions for permission to raise car registration fees, under a bill approved by the Oregon Legislature.
A provision of House Bill 2001 would give the county sole authority to raise car registration fees – thus eliminating the need for approval from individual jurisdictions and county voters.
The transportation bill, which passed the Senate last week and awaits Gov. Ted Kulongoski’s signature, represents an $890 million package that designates $24 million to upgrade the Interstate 84 interchange at Troutdale, among numerous other projects.
Section 40 of the bill appears to specifically benefit Multnomah County government in its long-running quest to fund the repair or replacement of the decrepit Sellwood Bridge and five other Willamette River spans.
The county Board of Commissioners was unsuccessful in its 2007-08 campaign to nearly double car registration fees for 20 years to fund bridge improvements. Gresham, Troutdale and Maywood Park city councils – among the 11 jurisdictions whose approval was required – voted down the proposal, leaving the county unable to put the increase before voters.
According to Section 40 of the pending bill, “a governing body of a county with a population of 350,000 or more may enact an ordinance establishing registration fees for the purpose of designing, replacing … and constructing a bridge … that crosses the Willamette River in the city of Portland.”
This eliminates an existing provision stating that fees “enacted by the governing body of a county must be submitted to electors of the county” for their approval. The bill would retain a provision designating that 40 percent of newly assessed fees would be directed to the 11 affected jurisdictions.
Several local and state officials, including Sen. Laurie Monnes Anderson, who supported the bill, and Diane McKeel of the Multnomah County Board of Commissioners, said they were unfamiliar with the particular provisions when contacted late Tuesday afternoon, June 9, but indicated they would scrutinize the bill and offer comments later.
While familiarizing himself with the bill’s finer points, Troutdale Councilor Matt Wand said he was “outraged” that the Legislature would choose county authority above that of the smaller cities when the Troutdale council was “very clear we were not in favor of the registration fee being used to build the Sellwood Bridge.”
Wand said he planned to bring up the matter at the Tuesday, June 9, council meeting and expected to draft a letter to county officials and members of the Legislature expressing the body’s displeasure with the provision.
County Chair Ted Wheeler was not available for comment by The Outlook press time Tuesday night.
Looks to me like the Oregon Legislature, one named Sen. Laurie Monnes Anderson mostly, has time to make special rules governing mult. county. First making a law to just give Sheriff Skipper a pass at DPSST and now new rules so the county can stick it to us with a new bridge when this should be coming from the state. What a bunch of chickenshi* BS!
(email verified)
Tue, Jun 09, 2009 at 10:04 PM
Editorial response:
profanity
My God when will these tax and spend liberal democrats wake up! Socialism don't work "you will run out of money". Lets see rise the tax rates on the Fed. income tax, rise the state income tax rate, put alcohol in the gas so you can't go as far on a gallon of gas so you'll need to buy more, rise busness taxes "which consumers pay", rise tabacco tax, rise the tax on alcohol, can't forget the multnomah county income tax a few years back. And now the county-city of Portland can and will charge what ever they want just to register a car/truck. Hell why don't you just TAX THE AIR WE BREATH!!!
(email verified)
Tue, Jun 09, 2009 at 10:31 PM
I find this absolutely ridiculous. While the eastern part of the county - including east Portland, Gresham, Troutdale, Fairview, Wood Village, and Corbett - have a hard time getting an equal shake when it comes to transportation dollars, we're going to charge us a big increase to pay for a bridge that we never use. A bridge that is mostly used by those in other counties.
Why couldn't they pass something through that changes how the bridge work would be funded? Something that would allow other counties to pay their fair share.
Heck, we can't even get the courts that we are legally entitled to.
This was absolutely the wrong fix for the problem.
Way to go. Nothing like giving people another reason to secede from the county.
(email verified)
Tue, Jun 09, 2009 at 11:05 PM
So here's a novel idea.
If the county, or any governing body needs more money. Why not ask the VOTERS for it? They you will REALLY know the Will Of The People!
Is this such a hard concept for the local (or state) politicos to grasp?
(email verified)
Wed, Jun 10, 2009 at 08:17 AM
I give up. Come on State of Oregon, County of Multnomah, and City of Portland, just take it all. Empty my pockets empty my bank account and take every asset I own. Leave me naked and poor so I can suck the teat of the socialist republic. The funding will come from somewhere; I have faith in the nanny state.
(email verified)
Wed, Jun 10, 2009 at 09:21 AM
John Benton
I totally agree! Next month my landlord is raising our rent. My insurance has gone up, fuel is going up, utilities never stop going up, and on and on. More taxes seems to be the only answer our leaders can find to fix finanical problems and shortfalls.
In my household when funds run low we cut back on spending. Maybe we should look to the freeloaders and shed some hand outs. That comment may seem cold and heartless, but I live next to a complex that is clearly welfare housing. Their parking lot has far nicer cars then our parking lot. It's a fact Oregon is dripping rich when it comes to hand outs.
(email verified)
Wed, Jun 10, 2009 at 10:42 AM
I think it is important that government takes whatever action is needed to bring in new revenue. Last November, the voters reaffirmed their support for the Progressive agenda by removing most of the Republicans in the Legislature that were creating gridlock. Everyone is going to have to chip in to protect the government programs for the poor and downtrodden. For those making over $125,000, you are going to have to give back more of your gains that you have made during the last eight years. As President Obama has said, it's all about fairness, paying your full share. When time permits, we'll need to consider a Sales Tax to balance our unbalanced tax system. No longer can government work for us with just an income and property tax.
(email verified)
Wed, Jun 10, 2009 at 06:10 PM
It just kills me that the voters say, "No." and "No." and "No." to tax measures.
We say no because 'we the people' who live in the real world must cut spending when we can't afford things.
We can't go to our employers and say, "Hey, I spent all the money you gave me. Give me some more." and expect that to happen.
Yet the people who are supposed to represent us are doing exactly that. They continue to spend and spend and spend. There is nothing but larceny in their hearts.
This is just disgusting.
Shame on those who allowed this bill to pass.
You're not representing us at all.
Every legislator who helped craft or pass this legislation shares in the blame, and needs to move back into the real world.
(email verified)
Wed, Jun 10, 2009 at 07:50 PM
What? Multnomah County Commissioner McKeel says she is unfamiliar with the particular provisions of the bill. The bill came out of the county, for the county by the board of county commissioners but she needs time to go over it before she comments? Are you kidding me.
(email verified)
Wed, Jun 10, 2009 at 08:56 PM
Is it time to show up in Salem and at the various Council meetings with torches, pitchforks, and a length of rope? The symbolism of the Tea Parties seems to have escaped the politicos, maybe the above mentioned symbols would get their attention, although I doubt they'd understand.
(email verified)
Wed, Jun 10, 2009 at 11:59 PM
Just another reason to NOT live in Multnomah county. I remember when they enacted an income tax on the county, that drove many folks out of the county. They got rid of it and now are doing this. The names and faces of the commissioners change, but stupid ideas continue to abound.
(email verified)
Thu, Jun 11, 2009 at 05:07 AM
There is a lot more to this bill than is reported here. Check it out - how about a 'congestion toll' during peak drive times..it's in there! Before this bill went to committee it was VERY hush-hush, the authors were terrified that the actualtax paying public would find out about it's contents BEFORE it was voted on. Typical!
(email verified)
Thu, Jun 11, 2009 at 08:31 AM
"No longer can government work for us with just an income and property tax."
Yes, it can, if we use the funds wisely. The first step is to audit EVERY single person who receives public funds. I have a tenant who is on Section 8, they have a full time job, and are going on a two week vacation this week. What on earth is up on that? They receive over $6000 a year in assistance and take vacations, has cable, and a full time job? I have another tenant who receives a monthly check of $500 because their child has a learning disability. Here are two people that drain about $12,000 a year who don't really deserve what they are giving.
How many people are receiving money who really don't need it. My guess is a lot. I am not talking about people who are having problems feeding their kids, I am talking about people who take vacations, have cable TV and high speed internet, and are on the public dole. My guess is just in Multnomah County we could save tens of millions, as just 100 people are needed to save a million dollars. A MILLION DOLLARS. That's enough to save 10 teaching jobs. I'm not even talking about illegal immigrants or anything like that, if we actually made sure they didn't get benefits (and they do) we wouldn't have an economic problem.
It's not the people who earn $125,000. Those people actually EARN their money, pay taxes, and create jobs. We have enough money coming in. We just give too much of it to lazy or dishonest people who don't mind working the system, or illegal immigrants. If we solved those two areas, we would have enough money in this state.
(email verified)
Thu, Jun 11, 2009 at 08:34 AM
"Way to go. Nothing like giving people another reason to secede from the county."
That was my thought as I read about this outrageous power grab and taxation w/o representation. Secession would take not only voter approval, but probably voter approved dis-incorporation of least 3 cities and use of their buildings and equipment for county facilities, depts, and offices.
Tragic, indeed, if this had to happen.
Although history cannot be erased, it would feel like losing our personal histories and identities as cities. A better future may depend on getting out of our comfort zones and stepping up to take whatever action is needed.
Just in the courthouse scenario, they've ALREADY been in violation of the law
If we can't even get the courthouse that we are LEGALLY entitled to, WHY should Mult.Co. honor or respect ANY commitments or legally binding mandates?. They can just IGNORE the will and needs of the PEOPLE if it requires a legally and morally just change of personal political agenda.
But then, rule of law hasn't meant much to the state or Mult. Co.
(email verified)
Thu, Jun 11, 2009 at 01:38 PM
Just one more reason why I do my best not to spend any money in Multnomah County.
When researching a new car insurance policy, I was brazen enough to tell agents: I am not interested in doing business with anyone in Multnomah County. I don't like the way the county does business. And, some agents understood.
Vote with your $$$. They don't seem to understand any other way.
(email verified)
Fri, Jun 12, 2009 at 10:20 PM
I would agree to the gas tax and NOT car registration fees increase. One of my neighbors traded his reasonable sized SUV for a behemoth of a truck and is in and out of his house several times a day, and while I do have a SUV, I walk or ride my bicycle most of the time. It takes two of us to offset his gas guzzling decision. I understand that monies have to come from some where for our infrastructure, pay as you drive with a gas tax would be better to funds road type projects.
(email verified)
Fri, Jun 12, 2009 at 11:38 PM
Attention legislators.
FIRST you scrutinize the bill.
Then, you decide if you should support it.
It's sort of stupid to do it the other way 'round.
(email verified)
Sat, Jun 13, 2009 at 02:05 PM
Another expense for my retired fixed income. Thanks alot Laurie! You are from my district so rest assured I will do everything I can to get you voted out next time around.
(email verified)
Sun, Jun 14, 2009 at 10:16 PM
"::headdesk::" wrote: "Attention legislators.
FIRST you scrutinize the bill.
Then, you decide if you should support it."
I always assumed citizens *should* work that way before voting for politicians too, because as you said, "It's sort of stupid to do it the other way 'round." Who can honestly say they "scrutinized" the want to be legislators before casting a ballot?
(email verified)
Sun, Jun 14, 2009 at 10:16 PM
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Re: Bill would give county right to raise car registration fee
Raise the gas tax, the more you drive, the more you pay. Drive a gas guzzling, CO2 belching car you pay a carbon tax type fee. Raising the Registration fee on my car doesn't regulate my driving behavior, doesn't encourage me to drive less or sway me to buy a fuel effecient car. Using a tax is capitalism's way to effect behavior it's a tool that can be used to slow climate change. Oregon legislators are too scared to make the tough decisions that are needed to truly reduce CO2, today.
"tamer"
(email verified)
Tue, Jun 09, 2009 at 09:47 PM