I submitted the testimony below in opposition to SB 1599, which attempts to move the referendum on the gas tax from November to May. Salem political elites do not want to be on the ballot this fall with this bill next to their name when voter turnout is higher. I encourage everyone to submit their own testimony to the legislature at the link below.
Greetings Co-Chair Jama and Gomberg, Committee Members,
Last fall I took off a few weekends and evenings to knock on doors across Elgin and table at my town’s gas station to collect signatures so that my community could vote on the transportation package. Why? As a city manager by day, I know how to project which government policies will impact my city budget, and the impact of new and invasive taxes would cause financial difficulties for both my municipal government and my neighbors.
Elgin is a small town with good people who work hard for a paycheck that gets stretched thinner every day. Some of the gas taxes they pay currently do in fact go into the City’s coffers to help pay for roads, for which we are grateful. However, higher gas taxes will make it more difficult for my neighbors to commute to nearby communities where they travel daily for work and groceries. Higher gas taxes will help the City Budget a little, but the resulting increase in fuel costs will be exponentially higher than what the City gets from this tax revenue. Elgin also has negligible public transit options, and doubling the payroll tax for this nearly nonexistent transit will not suddenly result in more transit.
The Governor and the majority party passed the transportation package without any apparent conception that voters would oppose a hit to their pocketbooks. I collected hundreds of signatures from Elgin residents to put this repeal on the ballot in November 2026, and I know that other community members collected hundreds more. Putting this on the ballot in May when turnout is historically lower will necessarily disenfranchise the many voters who usually only vote in general elections. Keeping it off the general election ballot is also a naked exercise in partisanship. The majority party got massive tax increases that nobody wanted, and it is incumbent upon them to make the argument that they made the right decision at an election where the maximum number of voters will participate.
In Elgin, we hold our elections in the fall during general elections. I will have to face my neighbors this fall and defend my record, both the good and the areas where I will commit to improving, and I have no option to try and squeak by in May hoping that lower turnout will make my electoral fortunes better. If a small town city administrator can face these odds with courage and conviction, you can, too. And if you think the maximum number of voters do not deserve to engage with you on this subject, then you should not be seeking re-election this year.
Best regards,
Alex McHaddad, Elgin’s City Administrator
Editor’s Note
Right Now Oregon, LLC President Alex McHaddad is the City Administrator of Elgin, Oregon. His views are personal and do not reflect an official editorial or policy position of Right Now Oregon, LLC or the City of Elgin.
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