Thread by @nomorefreeways

might be time to make a list of all of the requested investments that *didn't* get funding from the GO Bonds from the state legislature because we gave $250m for the Interstate Bridge Replacement.

first up, a $45m health and recreation center at OSU-Cascades near Bend

https://twitter.com/TheGaryWarner/status/1671200750574370816

transportation advocates had requested $50m for fixing up SW Hall Boulevard in Tigard, $100m for ODOT's Great Streets program and were angling for $30m for SE Powell too.

in christmas tree bill there's only $1m for Great Streets, $3m for Hall.

#orleg

olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023R1/Dow…

doesn't appear to be any money for Bridge of the Gods, either. Another bridge over the Columbia River sorely in need of seismic retrofit. Helluva lot cheaper, too

columbiagorgenews.com/news/funds-sou…

"These are the very human costs when we commit the full $1 billion in general fund-supported dollars to the IBR freeway expansion without putting in fiscal guardrails. Our kids are being asked to shoulder budget cuts, but our freeway projects [are not.]"

portlandmercury.com/news/2023/06/1…

Rep Susan McLain celebrating in W+M that she's allocating $1m to the Great Streets program at ODOT.

The original ask was for at least $100m.

The need is $300m.

But that's not stopping McLain from celebrating a "multmodal investment" after giving $1b ($1000m) to the IBR. #orleg

it appears that funding for the two passenger rail study bills - HB 2662 and SB 14 - are also dead.

Total, these bills would have cost $500k.

it's abundantly clear that leadership of the Joint Committee of Transportation is profoundly disinterested in any policy or investment that deviates from status quo - giving ODOT gigantic checks for more roads, starving transit, avoiding urgently needed safety investments. #orleg

to top it all off, freeway lobbyists snuck in language at the end of SB 1049, an unrelated bill, that eliminated the original fiscal guardrails for @IbrProgram established in 2013.

a sham of a democracy. zero fiscal accountability for @OregonDOT. #orleg
olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023R1/Mea…

@IbrProgram @OregonDOT .@i5bridgenow advocates were asking for these guardrails established in 2013 during the Columbia River Crossing to stay in place during @IbrProgram. They included numerous checks and balances to ensure the legislature could monitor how IBR spent funding.

oh well! #orleg #orpol

@IbrProgram @OregonDOT @i5bridgenow this language was snuck into an amendment of an entirely different omnibus bill, introduced at 11:02 today, less than four hours before voted in Ways and Means.

A profoundly antidemocratic process.

@IbrProgram @OregonDOT @i5bridgenow it's not like ODOT has a ridiculous reputation and track record for massive cost overruns on their megaprojects or anything

cityobservatory.org/odots-reign-of…