Don't let highway finance fall victim to partisanshipWhen the Oregon Legislature opened its 2025 session on Jan. 21, crafting a new state transportation package promised to prove one of the most demanding tasks on its agenda. Thanks to rising roadbuilding costs and declining gas tax revenues, Oregon is facing a transportation funding crisis of no small dimension. Cap-and-trade is too complicated, controversial and unproven to win favor with the general public, let alone legislative Republicans. None of the four Republicans serving on the bipartisan accountability committee signed off on their leadership’s hold-the-line at all costs position. If truckers are currently paying more than their fair share, as they allege, adjustments can be made in the new package, with accountability committee input.