Democrat Transportation Package dead, Central Oregon legislators still find success this session

(Update: Adding video, comments from Anthony Broadman)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)-- Local legislators are reflecting on their time on the Oregon House and Senate floor as the session officially ends Sunday.

Local legislators went into this year's legislative session with transportation top of mind. But now sources have confirmed to KTVZ News that Democrats' last effort to fund Oregon's roads is effectively dead.

The transportation package would have increased the state's 40-cent gas tax by 15 cents. Without this funding, the Department of Transportation says up to a thousand jobs could be cut. 

Despite the harsh end, Central Oregon legislators still found success this year

District 27 (D) Senator Anthony Broadman said ahead of what could be the final day of session, "We're here doing the people's work."

Broadman co-sponsored a wildfire prevention funding bill that passed this week, taxing all nicotine pouches, and is now headed to the governor's desk.

"I'm really proud that we're leaving the building, no matter what, with my bill having passed and us having a durable solution on wildfire prevention," he said.

He also worked with representatives Emerson Levy and Jason Kropf to bring a new pediatric mental health facility to Central Oregon.

House District 53 (D) Representative Emerson Levy who wrote and chief sponsored the wildfire risk map repeal told KTVZ News, "The wildfire maps had a good intention. That intention was to keep people safe, to help us create a mitigation strategy, a hardening strategy, and what we found is that the maps were just not accurate".

The maps classify the wildlife hazard level for each community in Oregon. Most of Central Oregon is in the "high hazard" category, which drew intense backlash here in the High Desert.

Prineville State Representative (R) Vikki Breese-Iverson had several bills signed by Governor Tina Kotek. One of them removes a requirement that a maximum of two real estate professionals may serve on a city or county planning commission for commissions with more than five members.

KTVZ News will continue to update this web story as more information is released on what has passed this session.