Governor-appointed work group begins drafting 2027 transportation package, prioritizes maintenance and accountability

The governorappointed Transportation Work Group opened with co-chairs and members laying out a clear charge: craft a practical, affordable statewide transportation package for the 2027 legislative session that prioritizes basic operations and maintenance, safety, and measures that will restore public confidence in the Oregon Department of Transportation.

"We need to fix it," the governor told the group, stressing that the stateofsystem has "become unsustainable and, frankly, unacceptable for Oregonians" and urging the members to produce bipartisan, implementable options. Co-chair Bruce Hanna said the team should aim to deliver a report and a set of tiered options rather than a single prescription.

Members introduced themselves as a mix of local elected officials, transit and county leaders, labor and industry representatives. Presenters outlined the committee structure and six subgroups (maintenance/preservation, transit, major projects, freight, community livability & safety, finance & funding) that will supply technical work to the main committee.

The group set process expectations: monthly meetings, public engagement, and a report due in early December that will offer several investment "tiers" so policymakers can see what different funding levels would achieve. The co-chairs urged members to bring broad, systemwide perspectives rather than narrow constituencies.