The plan by Gov. Tina Kotek to raise taxes and fees to cover transportation system expenses prompted Keizer residents to speak up.

The governor’s plan, with minor changes, passed out of an Oregon House committee on Sunday. Legislators were expected to convene on Monday – Labor Day – to vote on the package.

More than 900 people and organizations submitted written testimony ahead of a committee hearing on Sunday, Aug. 31.

Here are excerpts of submissions from those who identified themselves as being Keizerites:

• “We need to use the funds we have. Oregonians cannot afford anything extra we are drowning with cost of living here!” – Sean Zastoupil

• “ODOT must be held accountable for their waste and fiscal mismanagement and return to their core duties, eliminating all nonessential programs. I do not support enabling irresponsible behavior nor actions on the part of elected, appointed, hired or contracted representatives of any government body. Vote NO to any/all increase in budget, taxation or fees.” – Susan Dunfee

• “I oppose HB3991. No more taxes!”  – Vicki Garland

• “No on taxes. No new taxes. No increase taxes. No on fees. No new fees. No increase in fees. The people of Oregon have already spoken and they have said NO!!” – Jason Yordy

• “A family registering a standard car could face hundreds of dollars in extra costs every two years, funds that could otherwise go toward groceries, housing, or education. This regressive structure hits hardest those who can least afford it, without providing clear exemptions or relief for low-income households.” – Lellaniah Adams

• “What a mess. We have an agency that has been making some really bad decisions. We have a governor who thinks we the people should pay for those bad decisions. Has ODOT tried to rectify their bad miscalculations?” – Jennifer Peterson

• “You are supposed to work for the citizens of Oregon, please start acting like it and vote against this huge spending bill. Fix the spending problem at ODOT first!!” – Ellen Marsh

• “Under the Democrats rule this state has been a failure. Education, housing, crime, etc. Shame on you. From empty buses, crime ridden mass transit, to over runs on road projects. Do this on a Sunday, in the middle of a holiday. It just shows who you are. Crooks.” – Braeda Libby

• “Please allow for spending tax monies to audit the Department of Transportation.” – Dorothy Reynolds

• “A transportation funding package that reallocates existing funding priorities, while making modest increases in some taxes, could receive broader support, potentially including the business community. The current proposal simply falls short of what all Oregonians should expect from our policymakers.” – Keizer Chamber of Commerce

• “Why do democrat ways assume the everyday person has tons and tons of money to blow on taxes? Why is it when state workers face layoffs they can just have the legislature raise our taxes so they can keep their jobs? I don’t see anyone of you clowns bending over backwards to help us keep our jobs. NO NEW TAXES! If you do raise taxes I hope every democrat and the governor are out of a job come elections.” – Ryan Reynolds

RELATED COVERAGE:

After rough start, Democrats advance transportation funding

House fumbles special session, legislators to try again Sunday

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