Just three days after the session ended, the consequences of the Oregon legislature’s failure to pass a transportation funding package are coming into focus.
In the past 24 hours, we’ve heard from the State of Oregon and the City of Portland about what the lack of funding will mean to their transportation agencies. At the Oregon Department of Transportation, layoff notices for an estimated 600 people, 12.5% of its total workforce (a total of 4,800) are expected to be in the mail next week. At the Portland Bureau of Transportation, most employees will be safe, but cuts to basic services are now inevitable.
At 12:22 am Saturday, about one hour after the legislature adjourned their session, ODOT Director Kris Strickler sent what he referred to as, “The hardest message I’ve ever had to send in my career.” “I know this is shocking, scary and frustrating for every single one of you,” Strickler wrote. “It is for me too.”
Because of the legislature’s inaction, Strickler said ODOT is forced to make significant layoffs starting in the coming days and weeks. Strickler said HR will begin contacting the 600 employees in the next few days to help them process the termination of their employment with the agency. Strickler didn’t say what type of staff would be let go. His email gave only this clue: “These layoffs are a function of the role and how it is funded and have nothing to do with the job itself or the person in it.”
In an interview with Oregon Public Broadcasting today, Senator Mark Meek — the Democrat whose opposition killed HB 2025 — downplayed the urgency of ODOT cuts. Asked if he believed Governor Tina Kotek’s threat that the agency would begin layoffs this week, Meek replied, “They don’t necessarily have to be right now,” and added that they could be “next year some time.”
But today is July 1st, the start of a new fiscal year and biennium for ODOT. And because of inflation, growing construction costs, flat funding mechanisms, and years of legislative direction to spend most of the agency’s money on construction projects, ODOT has a State Highway Fund shortfall of $354 million.
So why do they have to start layoffs immediately? According to ODOT Deputy Directory of Finance Travis Brouwer, ODOT has already used up their balances in State Highway Fund this biennium and as a result, they, “Have no cushion to continue with current service and staff levels.”
And despite what you might hear from some elected officials or bad faith media pundits, ODOT can only use the State Highway Fund for operations (which includes staffing) and maintenance. (On that note, Meek admitted in the OPB interview today that one reason he didn’t support the bill was because it “wasn’t apparent” how or if the bill would fund operations and maintenance (one of Meek’s priorities). But it was clear from the start that HB 2025 would send about $200 million per year to the State Highway Fund for precisely that purpose.)
Brouwer explained to me the existing taxes and revenue sources in HB 2017 are permanent, but because they are flat rates they erode each year as inflation rises and people use less fuel. And as costs go up, “that means you’re actually going backward.”
Brouwer estimates that the State Highway Fund will grow by only about 0.35% per year for the next eight years (see above).
For the Portland Bureau of Transportation, the lack of a state funding package means they’ve got to make up for $11 million in expected revenue that would have gone to operations and maintenance.
Back in May, Portland City Council threw PBOT a lifeline by voting to raise the fee paid by rideshare users to $2 per ride (up from 0.65 cents). That increase is expected to raise $10 million annually. In an email today from PBOT Director Millicent Williams to agency staff, she said that additional revenue was supposed to go toward expanded services, “but we will now rely on [those funds] to mitigate some of the devastating loss brought about by legislative decisions.”
PBOT will still have to make some layoffs, but they haven’t said how many people will be let go. There’s an all-staff meeting scheduled for July 15th were that news is likely to be shared.
The net result is that PBOT will have to cut services. Here’s the list of cuts the city has shared so far:
- Up to 300 streetlights that we won’t be able to repair this year.
- 50% less capacity to respond to requests from the public for basic safety improvements
- Delays in traffic signal upgrades on busy corridors impacting safety for pedestrians, freight, and people biking, taking public transit or driving.
- Delays to currently funded projects of all types (maintenance and capital improvement safety projects) because of reductions in force.
Mayor Keith Wilson said in a statement today he’s “Deeply disappointed” in the legislature for their failure to pass funding and that PBOT will “determine the exact path forward” in the coming weeks. Wilson has hinted in recent weeks that he and leaders on council have been meeting with PBOT to address funding gaps. I have a strong hunch they’re cooking up some sort of utility fee approach and will frame roads as an essential service like water or electricity.
Regardless of what their plan is, the legislature’s shocking abdication of responsibility has sent shockwaves through ODOT and PBOT and unless Governor Kotek can pull a rabbit out of her hat in an emergency session, we’ve got at least a year or two of very choppy waters ahead.
Thanks for reading.
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The PBOT statement doesn’t exactly fill the reader with dread. Three hundred street lights won’t be fixed? Yawn!
Six hundred workers laid off at ODOT really does sound bad. But since ODOT does almost nothing for cycling or cyclists, I can’t imagine that the impact on cycling will be all that great. For example, the bike lanes that are hardly ever swept will be swept even less often??
I mean, these are still 600 human beings that need money to pay for bills and feed their families, bike lanes or no
It will be interesting to see how many of those 600 will actually be forced to be unemployed within the next 6 months. ODOT like all DOTs has a huge number of unfilled open positions, often in undesirable locations like eastern Oregon, so some people threatened with layoffs may choose to work elsewhere or take on different positions within ODOT. It’s also possible that ODOT may cancel some of these openings (known as “paper positions”) as part of its “layoffs”. There are also seasonal limited-term workers who will be let go as scheduled and others who are already planning to work for some company or other DOT. For some low-level employees, forced unemployment is the only time they get an extended period of paid time off.
It just isn’t true that ODOT does ‘nothing’ for cycling. Could it be better? Absolutely. But it isn’t nothing, and it makes those of us who work at ODOT and play a part in those projects feel pretty awful on top of what is going to be a very awful week. Out of consideration for the 600 plus of your fellow Oregonians who will be receiving pink slips, this might be a good time to not say anything if you don’t have anything nice to say.
Hang in there Hanne.
I’m sorry you’re in this situation and I imagine it’s awful, terrifying and anxiety inducing. I went through the doge culls as a fed a little bit ago and it was miserable and I was surprised how tenuous the life my partner and I had built. Everything based on the whims and failures of incompetent people like you’re facing and with specialized skills that don’t seem like they’d translate well.
Fingers crossed management is able and willing to use unfilled positions for the cuts as much as possible to spare as many of you as possible. Good luck and best wishes!!
Of course I don’t want anyone to suffer – I’m not a psychopath, like the current leaders of our Federal gov’t.
But I can tell you that every time I have asked ODOT to sweep or maintain bike lanes and other infra on ODOT roads, I have been treated with contempt. It drips from practically every word in every letter and email ODOT employees have sent me. The feeling I get is that I’m wasting ODOT employees’ time unless I’m driving a car or truck, in which case they’ll have time to address my concerns. I’ve even had specific concerns about dangers to cyclists dismissed b/c they are not concerns for drivers of cars or trucks.
The contempt extends to actions, not just words: A tree has fallen into the bike lane? We’ll get to it when we get to it. Is a tree obstructing the so-called travel lane? We’ll dispatch an emergency crew in minutes! The disregard for the needs of cyclists could not be clearer.
So yes – I’m sorry some ODOT employees will be losing jobs but I stand by my prediction that the impact on cycling and cyclists will be hardly noticeable.
Care to share some of the language from ODOT’s responses that evokes contempt to you?
I can appreciate being upset feeling you were blown off, that sucks that happened but to be fair there are two sides to every story. For the last 5 years of ODOT being asked to do more with less and or less with less to save money. We continued to try to build more bike and pedestrian improvements but with no additional funding to maintain these features. Then our maintenance staff was covering so much with less money and less staff. We have been in a triage mode for awhile now. We as a community should have been giving them some grace. How do you prioritize everything when you don’t have the funding or staff to do so. It sucks when we do care and try more than you know. At some point people just get burned out not having the tools and funding for their job.
A prime and recent example of what Fred is talking about is the recent unexpected unplanned un-permitted detour on the spring water trail. ODOT chose to block one of the premier cycling paths in the city with no notice or good detour, something which they would never do in the same manner for vehicular traffic.
https://bikeportland.org/2025/06/12/the-story-behind-that-surprise-blockage-of-the-springwater-corridor-path-394943
You’re conflating the contractor with ODOT
What percentage of ODOT’s total employees does this represent, and what employee positions are they cutting? If they laid off 600 pothole fillers, that would be one thing, but I’m guessing this will be across a wide swath of positions and pay ranges?
I’m pretty sure they fired the I-205 path mini street sweeper driver years ago, as that’s the last time I saw it getting cleaned.
Hi MontyP. Sorry I didn’t include that. I just added it. 600 employees would represent about 12.5% of ODOT’s total workforce of 4,800. And I’m not sure exactly what type of roles will be let go. All Strickler said in the email, which I’ve added to the post, is that the layoffs would focus on roles funded by particular revenue streams… but I haven’t learned what streams he’s talking about.
We’ve been told it will be across all divisions and at all levels. That said, it is likely that positions that are reliant on state funding are more at risk. This is in comparison to positions that work on federally funded projects (because those positions charge for their time worked on the project that is then reimbursed with federal funds). Maintenance is all state money.
Thanks Hanne. Sorry about what’s going on. It’s so unfair and cruel. I appreciate the insight on the layoffs. That makes sense that it would be a lot of O&M since that’s SHF money. Please keep us posted and hang in there.
“…cooking up some sort of utility fee approach…”
Sounds promising!
Paying for roads by those who use them.
Kind of like ‘weight-mile’ for trucks applied to cars–VMT.
License bikes for anyone over 18. $30 a year. Just think of all the $100 tickets they could write. Fund pothole repairs easily.
There are millions of dollars in fees already waiting to be enforced.
License pedestrians, all 4+ million of ’em in Oregon.
High time they started paying their fair share. And they shoulda been wearing a helmet too!
Just fine people for cycling – that would be right up your alley.
So charge road users about $1/vehicle lb/year? I accept! It will be delightful to see those freeloading brodozer drivers finally pay their fair share.
That is far less layoffs then the possible 12,808 school district employees because we’re getting less funding then previous years so if every district was equal to our district which it is different in every district ours had to eliminate 65 positions, to fund our K-12 district for the next two years ans because they’re seasonal employees they can’t file for unemployment.
Seasonal employees can file for unemployment if they’ve been laid off or haven’t been assured of a job after the season.
Thank you Jonathan for being the only journalist covering this issue with any depth.
It might be suspected by participants on this blog that as a “moderate/centrist/democrat” I too am an employee of ODOT. Those paying attention now know that the bulk of ODOT layoffs will occur in the Maintenance Business Line. What is largely unknown to the general public is the stress which maintenance workers endure. Cyclists know the stomach turning fright from when a fast moving vehicle passes too close. Maintenance workers experience this for hours, daily. Just as they steel themselves the constant danger of roadways, they also deal with the carnage of the victims of collisions. Granted, most of the death along our highways are animals, but many if not most of the blue-collar maintenance workers are hunters and fishers. They are nature wise and the crushed beauty and thoughtless waste of an endless supply of road kill deals a repeated sadness to these people. Still this is little compared to the psychological impact from the removal of wreckage from injury and fatality accidents. This tests their humanity with harsh frequency. I was surprised to learn that PTSD is not uncommon among Maintenance crew staffers.
Picture snow plows clearing roads during blizzards before dawn, or workers beside hot asphalt during sweltering summer paving, or the long shifts needed to remove debris from landslides. These people work their asses off. Shame on the legislators for throwing these public servants under the bus to satisfy their petty grudges.
As a skier who frequently drives a low clearance car to snoparks, I sure appreciate what the ODOT (and WSDOT) crews do in inclement conditions. Thanks for facilitating many of my favorite experiences over the last 30 years! My sympathies are with those that are facing pink slips independent of my opinions of ODOT on the whole or the state transportation system generally.
Your description of the ‘psychological impact’ of dealing with roadkill reminded me of riding my bike in Tennessee. Compared to my experiences in the West, I encountered a surprisingly great amount and diversity of dead animals on the (nanoscale) shoulders of the roads. It was seriously saddening and weighed on my spirits. I can’t imagine how traumatic it must be to deal with human victims of traffic violence.
Thanks, Granpa, for your public service.
Can you, as an ODOT employee, explain why so many ODOT employees are outwardly, nakedly hostile towards people who request services that will aid cycling? Is there something in the ODOT managerial culture that nurtures and rewards hostility toward cyclists?
You mention plowing snow, removing animal carcasses, and clearing collision debris – some of which could pertain to cycling – but why is it that when someone requests something be done specifically for cyclists, ODOT basically says no?
My position within the agency is not in the maintenance business line, but many if not most of the requests I ask for within the agency are similarly answered in the negative. The reason for the brusk and final replies is that there is money for that. My requests would be well received by readers of this blog but communication protocols within ODOT limit how much detail I can provide. I know being answered in the negative is disheartening but there is no general animosity towards cyclists and cycling or pedestrians in my business line in the agency. It is a big company and people with many different backgrounds, (including some asses and retro-grouches) may be picking up your calls. They are under funded and they honestly don’t have staff to do what needs to be done. Perhaps what you perceive as hostility is their frustration with their inability to respond to the needs. I don’t hav an adequate response but for the agency I apologize for our failures in service and courtesy in replying.
Thanks, Granpa, for your response and explanation – and also for the apology, which I know is offered in good faith but which I unfortunately can’t accept in good faith. That is to say: it’s easy to apologize but much harder to rebuild faith in an agency based on many bad experiences with the agency – the worst of which was the time an ODOT comms professional explained in great detail why my complaint about an unsafe condition was bogus, *specifically* b/c the condition was NOT unsafe for occupants of cars and trucks!
Also I wonder if everyone remembers the time that a well-meaning cyclist painted “ODOT knows” on unsafe gratings on Barbur and ODOT’s first response was to threaten the guy with prosecution. They fixed the problem only when BP and others highlighted their hypocrisy.
Again I’m sorry about the layoffs but the entire culture of the organization needs to be rewired.
There are many within the Agency who are working to change the direction of this massive bureaucracy from within. Next time contact the Pedestrian and Bicycle Program Leader (the google knows) she can talk to the right people. It is unfortunate that you refuse to let go of your animus towards the Agency. Could it be possible that the tone you brought to the discussion prompted the hostile response?
I second this, there are many things in play. The sheer number of emails and requests we receive, the short timeline to respond. While still balancing everything else. We have more features on our roadway but never receive additional funding or staff to maintain without additional funding. It’s devastating this didn’t pass because I love being part of pedestrian and bicycle projects but it’s hard when there isn’t then funding to keep it maintained.
Edit -that should read “no money for that “
> Senator Mark Meek — the Democrat whose opposition killed HB 2025
I want to point out that 25? Republicans also voted against the bill. And the Republican alternative bill was to drop all non-car funding. Cars aren’t freedom, they are a huge, mandatory usage fee for unsafe streets.
I agree with the second half of your statement but the first half is incorrect: NO ONE got to vote on the bill. It died b/c the session basically timed out when Repubs wouldn’t agree to extend the time to consider the bill. Meek’s opposition effectively killed the bill b/c Dems knew he was a “no” vote and therefore couldn’t advance it. BP’s characterization is correct.
Remember Twain’s aphorism about legislation and sausage.
Has there been any consideration whatsoever of cutting some/all of the $29.8 million ODOT equity budget instead of cutting essential employees?
https://www.oregon.gov/odot/About/HRDocuments/ODOTAAP.pdf
For one, probably because $29.8 million is a drop in the bucket of the $14.6 billion transportation package that was initially put forward. For two, probably because there’s real, legitimate use in making sure that ODOT projects are in compliance with Federal anti-discrimination laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act. Also, making sure that transportation projects don’t have disparate impacts on marginalized demographic groups is a legitimate use of state funds, regardless of what the Feds do or don’t require us to do.
The office that handles small business outreach and contracting, engagement, public outreach for projects, ADA accessibility issues, and federal civil rights requirements? Pretty sure we’re gonna wanna keep that one.
This is incredibly sad for the people about to lose their jobs and have their lives turned upside down. I expect this type of vote from republicans but seeing it come from democrats is disappointing but no longer surprising. It just drives home that of the 2 main political parties to choose from in 2025 it is a choice between right wing and far right wing.
Can we cut some/all of the $29.8 million dollar ODOT equity budget instead of essential infrastructure workers?
https://www.oregon.gov/odot/equity/pages/about.aspx
You want to save those “cushy union jobs” you called out?
From TriMet:
“TriMet faces a fiscal cliff in 2031. We’re working with lawmakers now to identify additional state funding, before our deficit becomes unmanageable.
With a 0.4% phased increase in the STIF employee payroll tax, transit funding would still be less than the funding for other transportation modes. A person making Oregon’s median income would pay $16.75 a month by 2032. In comparison, by that time the average driver would spend roughly $60 a month in gas taxes and vehicle fees under the Legislature’s proposed transportation package framework.
Without that phased increase, TriMet will be forced to make drastic service cuts, including reducing frequency, hours of operation, and eliminating some bus lines altogether. Just considering our bus service alone, of our 78 current bus lines, TriMet would need to eliminate up to:
That means up to 51 of our current 78 bus lines would need to be eliminated by July 2031.
Maintaining — and increasing — public transit service is necessary to ensure that everyone has access to transportation regardless of ability or income. TriMet represents independence for the 35% of riders who are transit-dependent, meaning they do not own a personal vehicle or cannot/do not drive. We are a vital part of their lives, providing essential access to jobs, health care and daily needs.”
Up to 51 out of 78 bus lines are at risk. The transit here is one of the things I love most about Portland, and one of the big reasons I moved here was so I could ditch my car.
https://news.trimet.org/2025/04/trimet-warns-of-cuts-to-transit-service-without-an-increase-in-transit-funding-in-2025-oregon-transportation-package/
Maybe we should try the Libertarian way.
Sell every last inch of roadway and highway and all bridges and tunnels in Oregon to private companies. Those companies would then be responsible for maintaining the roads, highways, bridges and tunnels. They would charge tolls for driving, biking or walking on their property. The tolls would pay for the maintenance. We could let the companies do their own safety inspections of their property and self-report to an AI system that tracks the reports and sends out fines when the private companies report a safety violation on themselves. We wouldn’t need more than a few employees at ODOT. Bike clubs could buy up the bike lanes and paths and even some roads and make them car-free, only open to cyclists, who would pay tolls for riding on them. We would do the same for sidewalks, all sidewalk users would pay tolls for using sidewalks, on a per-block basis.