Following the money in the big Bend gas tax debate
The special election on Bend’s gas tax is underway, and both sides are spending thousands of dollars to spread their message.
The cost to the city of this special election is about $70,000, but both sides are spending thousands more in campaign ads.
According to the city, it would cost about $80 million to fix and repair all the worn-down roads around the city of Bend, and that cost is climbing.
The gas tax would create a local 5 cent-per gallon tax and generate about $2.5 million dollars a year. The money would go for repairs on the aging roads around Bend.
No for Bend Gas Tax supporter Troy Reinhart said Wednesday the city has the money, but after years of mismanaging funds, they want more cash.
“They haven’t been fiscally responsible in managing their money they get,” he said. “They talk about giving City Council a raise all these things and it’s about getting our priorities right.”
But the Yes for Bend Roads group says there is no more money for roads and they need this gas tax.
“Is there a gas tax needed? The answer is yes,” gas tax supporter Peter Werner said.
The city just doesn’t have the funding to increase the level of service for roadways, Werner said.
Werner said the reason why the special election is happening in March is because it would kick-start road projects in the summer if the gas tax is passed by voters — projects that otherwise would have to wait until next summer.
No for Bend Gas Tax has spent about $24,000 on campaigning and still has about $14,000 cash available, according to online campaign finance records at the Secretary of State’s Office Website.
Those records show a lot of that money is coming from local businesses and oil companies.
The campaign received a $12,500 donation last month from American Energy, based in Grants Pass Cain Petroleum of Portland donated $1,000.
“We’re really happy with the people that have contributed to this campaign, because it shows democracy,” Reinhart said.
Yes for Bend Roads has spent about $3,000 on campaign ads and has about $10,000 in cash, which is coming generally from developers and community leaders.
Brooks Resources Corp. and Bend Mayor Pro Tem Sally Russell each donated $2,500 to the Yes campaign.
Mayor Jim Clinton also donated about $500, according to the Secretary of State’s website.
The deadline to turn in those ballots is 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 8.
If you would like to look at more of the campaign expenditure and donations information, visit the Secretary of State’s Website.
