Bend gas tax supporters hold rally
With the Bend gas tax ballots out in voters’ hands, campaigning is now underway. On Monday night, supporters of the 5-cent per gallon gas tax held a rally at Deschutes Brewery in downtown Bend.
City Manager Eric King presented an overview of the city’s finances and the mayor and council members held a question-and-answer discussion for community members at the Deschutes Brewery.
The tax would provide an estimated $2.5 million in annual funding for preservation of city streets, including repair and maintenance — and as the measure summary notes in the Voters’ Pamphlet, for sidewalks and bike lanes as well.
The votes will be counted the night of Tuesday, March 8.
Mayor Jim Clinton said he has been pitching the gas tax for 12 years and is happy it’s finally on the ballot.
Those in favor of the tax said they feel it is more fair to have drivers pay for road upkeep, vs. property taxpayers.
“We have about 2 million people coming to visit our great community every year, and those people would be paying in to keeping our roads up,” said resident and businesswoman Amy Tykeson.
Clinton said he estimates “one-third of the total amount will come from visitors.”
Supporters argue that the gas tax will only cost the average driver about $2 to $3 per month — no more than a cup of coffee.
Opponents say they fear the gas tax will encourage drivers to fill up outside of Bend, literally driving business elsewhere. They argue elected officials should be more fiscally responsible and can find the money in existing revenues.
“We’ve looked at the numbers extensively and from the income that the city is receiving from increased tax revenues from our upgraded economy, there’s plenty of money to accomplish this (road work),” said John Philo of the Deschutes County Republican Party.
The city is paying an extra $70,000 to hold the special election in March instead of waiting to add it to the May ballot. That bothers opponents, but supporters say it will allow the city to get more work done during the upcoming summer, although if passed, the gas tax will go into effect July 1.
It also has a 10-year sunset clause, meaning that in order to continue, the tax would have to go back before voters in 2026.
Ballots are due at the official drop sites or at the Deschutes County Clerk’s office no later than 8 p.m. on March 8.
NewsChannel 21 is hosting a debate on the gas tax between Mayor Pro Tem Sally Russell (for) and Councilor Victor Chudowsky (against) live on our 6 p.m. newscast next Monday, Feb. 29. Feel free to suggest questions on our Facebook page or email the newsroom at stories@ktvz.com.
