KATU reports, “Oregon transportation agencies are warning Oregonians that if the state gets slammed with snow, they’re going to have a hard time responding. The reason? Budget cuts. ‘We’re expecting staffing shortages this winter due to a variety of reasons,’ Geoff Bowyer, Emergency Operations Manager at Oregon Department of Transportation, said during an annual winter preparedness news conference. ‘If you’re traveling, know that your trip may take longer.’” Bowyer told reporters ODOT hasn’t been able to fill all its open maintenance and operations jobs, and budget constraints required elimination of 25 positions.
In August, ODOT officials informed the state transportation commission they would have to cut as many as 1,000 jobs and millions of dollars of acquisitions unless the legislature finds a way to boost department funding in the next session. ODOT’s 2025-2027 budget currently has a projected revenue shortfall of more than $354 million. Two weeks ago, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek (D) announced a proposed biennial budget that includes $1.75 billion in new ODOT funding. However, the governor said lawmakers will have to decide how to provide the additional money.