YES For Bend Roads Launches Political Action Committee in Favor of 5 Cent Gas Tax on March Ballot

Supporters of the upcoming ballot Initiative to place a 5 cent tax on gas for road improvements in Bend have launched a political action committee. Bend City staff forecasts the tax increase could generate around $2.5 million annually.

“The poor condition of our roads causes traffic and affects the quality of life and commerce in Bend,” said Peter Werner, lead petitioner of the PAC, who is a former City of Bend budget committee chair, former planning commissioner and was a member of the streets funding committee. “The longer we wait to find a dedicated funding source to improve roads, the more expensive this problem becomes for residents and businesses.”

The local fuel industry has retained attorney and former Bend City Mayor, Jeff Eager, to head an opposition campaign against the gas tax forming the NO Bend Gas Tax PAC. The group maintains that the city has money available to fix the streets citing growth in the city’s general fund.

Placing the measure on the ballot was approved by the Bend City Councilor last fall on a 5-2 vote with Victor Chudowsky and Casey Roats opposing it.

Deschutes County Republicans recently announced their opposition to the proposed gas tax. In response Werner issued the following statement:

” Bend is a special place, and we need good roads to keep it that way. And the fuel tax is the fairest, most practical and most cost-effective way to improve the roads.

“The oil company opposition has a negative, self-serving and unrealistic position. They seem to think the city can produce money out of a magic hat. I have news for them. No magic hat exists. Nearly 80 percent of the city’s general fund goes to public safety — our police and firefighters. No one wants to compromise our safety by tapping those funds. The gas tax is the most practical solution.

“For an average cost of about $2.50 a month, voters can approve a measure which will almost double the money the City’s has for road repairs and improvements. And the two million people who visit our city each year will pay their fair share of that. That’s why the gas tax is the fairest solution.”

“We must act now. Delays will only make road repairs cost more. Bad roads are more expensive than good ones, and material costs continue to escalate. That’s why this measure is the most cost-effective solution.”

“The gas tax will keep our city safer. It will be good for business, and will help preserve the special quality of life we enjoy here. We have an opportunity as citizens to take matters into our own hands by voting yes on Measure 9-105.”

“We should not let big oil companies and their paid lobbyists dictate a solution to us.”

“YES for Bend Roads PAC is supported by a wide range of community leaders including Amy Tykeson, former CEO of Bend Broadband, Mike Hollern chair of Brooks Resources, Bruce Abernethy former Bend mayor, Bend Mayor Pro Tem Sally Russell, William Smith CEO of William Smith Properties, Trish Connolly, president of the International Association of Firefighters, Local 227 and Leo Lolito and president of the Bend Police Association.

“Good roads save lives,” said fire union leader Connolly. “Potholes slow down emergency responders, and in our business, seconds count.”

YES For Bend Roads plans a broad-based communications and outreach effort to communicate the positive benefits of good roads. A website, social media outreach, door-to-door canvassing and presentations to community groups will be launched in the coming weeks.

“Everyone knows the roads need work,” added Russell. “A dedicated funding source is the best way to ensure they get repaired. Measure 9-105 is the most cost-effective, efficient way to get that done, and the two million visitors who visit Bend every year will pay their fair share for use of our roads.”

Community members can contribute by making a check out to YES For Bend Roads and mailing it to P.O. Box 8825, Bend OR 97708.