Move Oregon Forward: A Coalition and Vision for Our Transportation Future
There’s a big problem happening in our transportation system today, and it’s been decades in the making. The Oregon Department of Transportation is facing a $1.8 billion deficit. If this is not met, ODOT staff have said they will need to eliminate more than 1,000 jobs, and that basic services that help to keep the state moving – including snow plowing, road repair, and bridge maintenance – will be halted or delayed dramatically.
What is being left out of this conversation is what will happen to the state’s commitments to reduce traffic violence, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve community health, economic resilience, and community cohesion.
Oregon’s transportation future hinges on our commitments to public health, safety and climate. That’s why a handful of organizations in active transportation, environmental justice, place-based initiatives, and climate (including OEC) formed Move Oregon Forward – a statewide coalition dedicated to a safe, clean, fair and accountable transportation system for all Oregonians. Move Oregon Forward is now 40+ organizations strong and growing, and is led by OEC, Verde, Climate Solutions, Oregon Walks, The Street Trust, 1000 Friends of Oregon, Oregon Trails Coalition, Oregon Just Transition Alliance, and Better Eugene-Springfield Transportation.
The rallying cry in Salem has been to craft a transportation package in the upcoming legislative session that’s focused on the basic necessities, portraying unfixed potholes and breaking down infrastructure as the consequences of inaction. We agree that making sure the health of our state’s roads and bridges is essential to the needs of everyday residents, and that more sweeping, ambitious changes are necessary to meet the moment. Move Oregon Forward envisions a future that is multimodal, safety first, climate-forward, has fair and sustainable funding, and is accountable and transparent.
Safety First
Rates of traffic-related fatalities are on the rise in Oregon, and throughout the United States. In 2023, preliminary ODOT data shows 587 people were killed in Oregon traffic and 506 in 2024. In 2022, Oregon’s fatality rate was 14.5 per 100,000 people. This is slightly higher than the national average of ~12, and higher than all surrounding states of Washington, California, Idaho and Nevada.
This alarming trend is why we envision a transportation system that puts safety first. That means eliminating serious injuries and deaths; investing in protections for the most vulnerable road users; reducing our vehicle miles traveled (VMT), air pollution, and other hidden costs to public health; and protecting our environment now and for future generations.
Climate Forward
Transportation is the biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions in Oregon. About 35%, or roughly 20 million metric tons of CO2e, of our total emissions come from our transportation sector. Even when compared with emissions from our electric grid, residential and commercial sectors, transportation is still the biggest source emitter in Oregon.
These emissions are felt in impactful ways, through particulate matter emitted from gas-powered vehicles, and especially from diesel engines. Greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution both get worse with more cars on the road.
This is why we are committed to creating the greenest transportation system possible for Oregon. By expanding access to clean transportation options for every community and context, we will reduce our transportation system’s contribution to climate change, ease congestion, give residents multiple options to travel that fit their budget, lifestyle and comfort, and help non-drivers stay connected—all at the same time—leaving no one behind.
Fair and Sustainable Funding
Our funding deficit is not new. For decades, most of Oregon’s transportation funds came from the gas tax and other fees tied to driving. And over these years, transportation taxes and fees have brought in less due to the increasing fuel efficiency of vehicles, and the gas tax not increasing in proportion to inflation – while at the same time, the state’s transportation system has continued to grow, including the costs to maintain our system.
It’s a widely shared belief that the current system for funding our transportation needs an overhaul. As the gas tax declines and plans to fund major projects remain in limbo, Move Oregon Forward is urging the state to shift to funding that is stable and diverse. Our solutions must be designed to explicitly incentivize and invest in a greener and safer transportation system. Oregonians deserve funding solutions that deliver real value for our dollars and share costs equitably.
Accountability and Transparency
Whatever passes in the upcoming legislative session, our government agencies – and especially ODOT – will be in charge of implementing a transportation package. We need to know that they’ll follow through.
So we’re also digging into policy changes that can keep our transportation system on track beyond this legislative session, meeting climate and safety targets and rebuilding the public’s trust.
As part of this effort, Move Oregon Forward is advocating for accountable and transparent institutions with diverse voices in decision-making at every level. We believe that the people most impacted by a decision should have real power to shape it. Currently there is a disconnect between our institutions’ stated goals and where they actually invest state resources. To meet climate and safety targets, and to retain the public’s trust, Oregon must close this gap.
Where We Go Next
To ensure we move Oregon forward this year, we’re building on the success of transformative legislative efforts in 2017. At the time, Oregon lawmakers created dedicated funding for public transit and established sustainable funding for the state’s Safe Routes to School program. This session, you can help us revitalize Oregon’s transportation system even further. Look for action alerts (from OEC on behalf of Move Oregon Forward) telling you when and where to act on legislation. The more lawmakers hear from constituents, the stronger our position. We want to ensure that when bills are passed they put safety first, are multimodal and climate-forward, and have fair and sustainable funding.
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