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Podcast: Cascade CounterPoint
Episode: QP: Special Session Should Use Emergency Funds
Description: The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has a $350 million deficit. Governor Tina Kotek has said that if this funding is not secured, she will lay off about 500 ODOT employees.During the regular legislative session that ended in June, Democrats (who hold a supermajority in both the House and the Senate) could not reach a consensus on a transportation funding bill (HB 2025). Sidelining and ignoring Republicans further ensured that the bill would not pass.To deal with the budget shortfall, the Governor has called for a special session for Friday, August 29. Her goal is to raise...