Angel Lovemore WR-122 – Debate Essay 5/10/2026 Vote “Yes” on Measure 120
Ballot Measure 120 comes from House Bill 3991, which was passed in 2025 by Oregon’s legislature. Ballot Measure 120 increases taxes and fees to fund highways, bridges, roadside rest areas, and public transportation. In response, Republicans collected signatures for a referendum so that voters could veto Ballot Measure 120 in Oregon’s Primary Election. Voters have until Tuesday, May 19th, to submit their ballots. Should Oregon increase fuel taxes, income taxes, and registration & title fees for roads and public transportation services? Yes, because it will create a disincentive for car dependence, provide public transportation, and reduce costs.
A gas tax would reduce car dependence. Economists Alex Bertram and Pierre Vilain predict a decline in car dependence in relation to vehicle taxes. They found that a 10 percent increase in vehicle taxes would reduce vehicle ownership by 3 percent (Bertram & Vilain, 2005). Considering that Measure 120 is a 15% increase in gas tax, the gas tax alone could lead to a respective 4.5% reduction in car ownership. In other words, approximately 189,000 Oregonians (i.e., 4.5 % of 4.2 million car owners) would use alternative modes of transport and no longer rely on cars. Representative David Gomberg says Oregonians are already becoming independent from cars: “Oregonians are driving less. We're driving more fuel efficient vehicles, using mass transit, and switching to electric vehicles.” This trend could reduce air pollution and car-related injuries and fatalities as well as reduce healthcare and fuel costs for those who are now car-independent. The trend of declining car-dependence will likely continue and accelerate with an increase of the gas tax
Public transportation doesn’t magically appear with no sacrifice or effort. It costs money and needs to be funded, whether by payroll tax or something else. This is what Susan McLain stressed, “If we don't want to do payroll tax, then we'd better figure out what else we do [to secure] public transit” (The Oregonian, 2026). Susan McClain is the Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and a proponent of Measure 120. She and others argue that public transportation is in a crisis that, if unaddressed, will result in a lack of infrastructure and public transit, which will ultimately decrease economic productivity and increase costs. Susan McCalin warns that the problem isn’t going to solve itself: “... we also need to compare what happens if we do nothing or do not solve this problem in 2027.”
The costs of taxes and fees are insignificant compared to the risks. Representative David Gomberg says we can solve Oregon’s transportation problems with the low price of one candy bar per month, “... Our very real personal safety relies on being able to clear snow, paint fog lines, fill potholes, respond to accidents, and clear whatever debris mother nature dumps on our roads. And we can do that for the price of a candy bar every month” (The Oregonian, 2026). David Gomberg also mentioned the Earned Income Tax Credit which will offset the costs of the gas tax for low-income earners. He states, “we passed the largest increase in the earned income tax credit in Oregon's history to support those very families that might be impacted by this modest increase in gasoline expense.” This means that low-income families will qualify for a tax refund when they file their taxes, offsetting the cost of the gas tax and potentially other taxes as well. Additionally, researcher David Aschauer found that public infrastructure corresponds with economic productivity (Aschauer, 1989). According to Aschauer, Oregonians might actually earn money by voting “yes” as an increase in infrastructure would increase income and welfare. Aschauer’s research would predict that something like potholes would decrease economic productivity. When David Gomberg says, “... half the money [is] going to be filling potholes in your neighborhood,” he’s saying that you will have less obstacles for generating income. Again, the costs of taxes and fees are insignificant when considering tax credits, increased economic productivity, and efficient infrastructure.
Voters should vote “yes” to Measure 120. Oregon’s transportation problems are not going away by simply ignoring it. Also, a well-known fact of economics is that public capital increases income and welfare for citizens in that area. Therefore, the threat of underfunded public capital is a threat to everyone’s welfare, safety, and income. Furthermore, the costs of taxes and fees are offset by Oregon’s tax credit and the savings from efficient and reliable public infrastructure. The prospects of higher incomes, increased savings, safer roads, and healthier modes of transport should motivate you to vote “yes” to Measure 120.
Works cited Aschauer, David Alan. “IS PUBLIC EXPENDITURE PRODUCTIVE.” Journal of Monetary Economics 23 (1989): 177-200. Bertram, Alex and Vilain, Pierre B. “DOES VEHICLE TAXATION IMPACT VEHICLE OWNERSHIP.” (2005). The Oregonian. “May 2026 election: Transportation funding package Measure 120.” YouTube, 21 Apr. 2026, retrieved on May 15th, 2026 from https://youtu.be/aRiQubRQjFs