Oregon transportation tax vote and layoffs delayed because of senator's health
With a key Democratic senator recovering from surgery, the Oregon Senate will delay a planned vote on a transportation tax package for two weeks.
The House narrowly passed the 10-year, $4.3 billion package Monday, and a Senate vote was scheduled for Wednesday. But on Tuesday evening, Senate Democrats announced that they would delay the vote until Sept. 17, when they expect Sen. Chris Gorsek, D-Gresham, to be available.
Raising taxes requires support from 18 of 30 senators, and Democrats hold 18 seats. That means all Democrats need to be present if Republicans remain united against the transportation bill. Gorsek underwent back surgery in August and is recovering from complications of that surgery, Democratic leaders said.
“We have been in constant communication with Sen. Gorsek and his team as he works to recover from complications relating to a planned back surgery,” Senate President Rob Wagner, D-Lake Oswego, said in a statement Tuesday. “My understanding is that it would be unsafe for Sen. Gorsek to be away from medical care at this time.”
https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/09/03/oregon-transportation-tax-vote-and-layoffs-delayed-because-of-senators-health/