Oregon Democrats on Tuesday delayed the final vote on a transportation funding plan until Sept. 17 because Sen. Chris Gorsek, a Gresham Democrat, is unable to attend a planned vote this week due to serious health issues, they said.

Democrats were relying on Gorsek’s vote to approve the package because they have exactly the required 18 members in the Senate to raise taxes, and no Republican has indicated support for the plan.

Gorsek cannot show up in Salem to cast his vote on the proposal — initially scheduled for Wednesday morning — because he’s recovering from complications from August back surgery, the Senate Majority Office announced Tuesday. As a result, lawmakers will extend their ongoing special session by two weeks.

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