Lars Larson takes Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek to task for her tactics designed to get more transportation dollars out of the Oregon State Legislature, which impacts the I-5 Bridge replacement project
Lars Larson
The Northwest Nonsense
Two weeks from now, Oregon holds a special session to do the work lawmakers couldn’t seem to get done in the six month regular session that ended just a few weeks ago.
Think about that for a moment.
And then think about Oregon Governor Tina Kotek using the following sleazy tactic to threaten taxpayers she supposedly serves
Announce you’re laying off hundreds of ODOT workers and that the things people depend on the most … solid roads and plowed snow in winter … will disappear if taxes don’t go up dramatically.
Then delay the layoffs to the end of the special session.
Message received … give us more money or else. Kotek is like that nightmare contractor who doesn’t get the job done on time … and then demands more money or he’s walking away to leave you with the mess.
In the meantime, check ODOT’s job postings.
Two of them jumped out at me … Project Delivery administrator 3 … a paper pusher and the gig lets you work from home. Salary, up to a quarter million a year. Director of External Affairs (whatever that is). Salary up to 200 grand … both plus benefits, generous vacation and a PERS pension.
So, ODOT is still hiring for the white collar jobs … even while it pleads poverty to fund the paychecks of blue collar folks who do the jobs we care about most.
Call your state lawmakers and demand they tell Kotek and company to live within their means … and you don’t appreciate the extortion tactics.
Also read:
- VIDEO: WA and OR lawmakers irked as update on I-5 Bridge costs still missing
Washington and Oregon lawmakers expressed frustration after planners failed to provide updated cost estimates for the I-5 Bridge replacement during a recent legislative oversight meeting. - Opinion: Atmospheric River events mean even less clearance for vessels crossing under the proposed Interstate Bridge Plan
Neighbors for a Better Crossing argues that high river levels from atmospheric river events further reduce vessel clearance under the proposed Interstate Bridge design, creating long-term navigation risks on the Columbia River. - Letter: Worried about a replacement bridge?
Sharon Nasset raises concerns about congestion, bridge capacity, and unanswered questions surrounding inspections and decisions tied to the I-5 bridge replacement effort. - Opinion: IBR promotes ‘giving away’ historic interstate bridges while withholding cost estimate for replacement
Neighbors for a Better Crossing argues the IBR program is promoting demolition of the historic Interstate Bridges without releasing updated cost estimates or current seismic data to justify replacement. - Opinion: Bikes in crosswalks
Doug Dahl explains how Washington law treats bicycles as both vehicles and pedestrians, depending on where and how they are being ridden.
