Leaders of Salem’s transit agency made no decisions last week about their proposal to tax businesses for a bus service expansion, but that didn’t stop people from packing their meeting.

Public testimony took up about two hours of the Cherriots board meeting on Thursday, Sept. 25, with about two dozen speakers. About two in three opposed the tax.

Board members also received 18 written comments before the meeting, most in support of the tax.

The board is considering imposing a 0.7% tax on business payrolls to start in 2027. That would raise about $39 million per year.

Your questions about Cherriots’ tax proposal, answered

Supporters were mostly bus riders who said they depend on Cherriots’ service to get to school, work or needed appointments. They said expanded hours would allow them t

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