(Photo © J. Maus)
A few quick notes about bills of interest working their way through the legislature…
HJM 22, the bill urging the federal government to fund the Columbia River Crossing highway expansion project that has kicked up quite a hornet’s nest of opposition from both sides of the aisle, will continue its public hearing and possible vote today. The bill will be heard at the 1:00 pm meeting of the House Transportation and Economic Development Committee.
Also getting a public hearing and possible vote is SB 846, the bill that would mandate all bicycle trailers (intended for human passengers) sold in Oregon to have a label affixed to them telling the consumer whether or not it meets federal safety standards. Read more about SB 846 in our story from earlier this month.
Also of note is that a few hundred or so transportation advocates from around the state are in Salem for a lobbying day today as part of the 2011 Oregon Active Transportation Summit. Nearly 75 meetings with legislators are scheduled. Wish them luck!
Thanks for reading.
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Good Luck Lobbyists!!!
Hear this goofy one about charging electric car owners $100 yearly to register their car to compensate for lost gas tax.
Fails because:
Fails to take in to account weight based damage and wear differences between a Samrt Car and a 20 ton all electric cargo vehicle.
Fails to take in to account the hybrid loophole where manufactuers include a small gas engine in an all electric vehicle so you can say it is NOT all electrica and thus dodge the tax.
Can’t wait to hear what happened yesterday!
I dont think it will get built becaus they cant move fast enough to get the money. The feds are spending too much money and it will come to a Screaching halt real soon. Too soon for the bridge to get funded. I just hope we dont start the project and can’t finish it because of a bankrupt govt..
I guess when gas is $10 a gallon and there are no more trucks going up I-5 and no jobs we can make I-5 into a giant bike path- right on across the old bridge