What happened to Oregon’s transportation package during the 2025 legislative session
How Oregon communities pushed lawmakers on transportation justice
Over the past year, Move Oregon Forward built a strong coalition to advocate for transportation policies and investments that align with our values of increasing safety, taking action on climate, raising revenue equitably, and ensuring state accountability in how transportation funding is spent.
With support from more than 50 organizations, Oregonians across the state showed up and made their voices count during the 2025 legislative session. Among them were members of the Transportation Justice Leadership Institute (TJLI), a cohort of community leaders that included non-English speakers and disabled residents. In partnership with coalition members, this program equipped advocates with the tools to bring their lived experiences into the legislative process and push for transportation systems that work for everyone.
During the legislative session, our coalition and our community members:
Tracked comments from thousands of community members at the transportation committee listening tour (read the listening tour report)
Invited over 100 community members to meet with their legislators at our transportation advocacy day (see the press coverage)
Submitted over 150 comments on Oregon’s transportation package
Successfully helped stop a last-minute proposal which would’ve left cities, counties, and transit agencies behind
Oregon’s legislature failed to pass a transportation package, but the movement is not backing down
After months of organizing, negotiation, and compromise, Oregon missed a major opportunity to improve transportation for everyone and didn’t pass a transportation package this session. Move Oregon Forward is disappointed the legislature did not act on Oregonians’ urgent transportation needs for safer streets, cleaner air, and better transit.
Already, hundreds of state transportation operations and maintenance workers are seeing layoffs and maintenance station shutdowns. Rural transit agencies are being hit by federal funding cuts, resulting in layoffs and service cuts. Across Oregon, kids are walking on unsafe streets, seniors can’t reach medical appointments, and disabled Oregonians who rely on public transit are being left without options. Without action, urgent needs will go unmet. The legislature’s failure to invest in a fair and functional transportation system is already hurting the people who rely on it most.
An August session may stop layoffs, but Oregon needs real transportation investments
The Governor announced a special session for August 29 to pass a stopgap measure to prevent layoffs at the state, counties, cities, and transit agencies. It will not be a comprehensive transportation package, so it’s essential that the legislature resume discussions of transportation system investments in future legislative sessions.
The diverse groups that came together behind Move Oregon Forward are strong and united. We brought thousands of Oregonians into the discussion, and we’ll continue to push for positive change. Oregonians deserve a transportation system that is safe, clean, and fair. We will continue to fight to make that vision a reality.
Want to get involved?
Join our mailing list to stay informed on how you can take action to support our goals during the August special session.
