There was a collective sigh of relief by Democratic lawmakers when the Oregon Transportation Funding Bill was finally passed by the Senate during a special session yesterday morning.

The bill will safeguard the jobs of hundreds of workers and ensure the maintenance of state roads and bridges.

The return to the chamber by Chris Gorsek assured Democrats of a majority vote. Gorsek had been unable to attend two previous sessions because of post-operative complications after back surgery.

Senate Rejects Republican Motion to Put the Bill to a Voter Referendum

While Democrat lawmakers celebrated the long-fought battle to raise additional funding for the state’s Department of Transportation (ODOT), opposing Republicans went into recess after the Senate rejected a motion to put the bill to a vo

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