KGW reports, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek (D) has recommended a biennial budget of $32 billion that includes no funding for the (I-5) Interstate Bridge Replacement Program. “Leaders on the project have made clear that they need a $1 billion commitment from both Oregon and Washington to proceed. The state of Washington has already made that commitment — Oregon has not.” The governor’s decision foists the responsibility for funding a replacement bridge onto lawmakers who expect to have less revenue available in the next funding cycle to craft a balanced budget. The article notes that the replacement program administrators continue to insist that toll revenue plus a combination of state and federal tax dollars will be needed to build the new bridge.
