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NORTHWEST
East Oregonian
Thursday, May 21, 2015
Oregon to test pay-per-mile instead of gas tax
AP Photo/Don Ryan
Patrick Connor’s Nissan Leaf electric car sports a custom
plate as he shows how to plug it in at a charging station
Tuesday at the public library in Hillsboro.
so it’s discriminatory,” said
Patrick Connor, a Beaverton
resident who has been driving
an electric car since 2007.
6WDWH RI¿FLDOV VD\ LW LV
only fair for owners of green
vehicles to be charged for
maintaining roads, just as
owners of gasoline-powered
vehicles do.
“We know in the future, our
ability to pay for maintenance
and repair... will be severely
impacted if we continue to
rely on the gas tax,” said
Shelley Snow with the Oregon
Wandering wolf appears denned up
for more pups
hybrids are still in the minority
on American roads, even
in a state as green-minded
as Oregon. Of 3.3 million
passenger cars registered in
Oregon at the end of 2014,
about 68,000 were hybrid,
3,500 electric and 620 plug-in
hybrid. A decade ago, only
8,000 hybrids were registered.
However, fuel-economy
for gas-powered vehicles has
been increasing as technology
is developed that addresses
public concerns about green-
house gas emissions and
dependence on foreign oil.
Oregon is the only state to
actually test-drive the pay-per-
mile idea.
The gas tax provides just
under half of the money in
Oregon’s highway fund, and
the majority of the money in
the federal Highway Trust
Fund, of which Oregon
receives a portion.
Oregon’s share of the fuel
tax over the past two decades
KDV EHHQ PRVWO\ ÀDW DQG LQ
some years declined, state data
show. In 2009, the Legislature
raised the tax from 24 cents to
30 cents per gallon, but that’s
not enough to avert shortfalls,
VWDWH RI¿FLDOV VDLG EHFDXVH
construction costs increase
ZLWKLQÀDWLRQ
By GOSIA WOZNIACKA
Associated Press
PORTLAND — Oregon is
DERXWWRHPEDUNRQD¿UVWLQ
the-nation program that aims
to charge car owners not for
the fuel they use, but for the
miles they drive.
The program is meant
to help the state raise more
revenue to pay for road and
bridge projects at a time when
money generated from gaso-
line taxes are declining across
the country, in part, because
RI JUHDWHU IXHO HI¿FLHQF\ DQG
the increasing popularity of
IXHOHI¿FLHQW K\EULG DQG
electric cars.
Starting July 1, up to 5,000
volunteers in Oregon can sign
up to drive with devices that
collect data on how much
they have driven and where.
The volunteers will agree to
pay 1.5 cents for each mile
traveled on public roads
within Oregon, instead of the
WD[QRZDGGHGZKHQ¿OOLQJXS
at the pump.
Some electric and hybrid
car owners, however, say the
new tax would be unfair to
them and would discourage
purchasing of green vehicles.
“This program targets
hybrid and electric vehicles,
BRIEFLY
Department of Transportation.
Other states are also
looking at pay-per-mile as an
alternative to dwindling fuel
tax revenues.
Last year, California
created a committee to study
alternatives to the gas tax and
design a pilot program; Wash-
ington state set money aside
to further develop a similar
program; and an Indiana bill
directs the state to study alter-
natives and a test project.
While growing in popu-
larity, electric vehicles and
MEDFORD (AP) — State biologists say Oregon’s
famous wandering wolf, OR-7, appears to be denned
up for a second set of pups in the southern Cascades.
The Medford Mail Tribune reported Wednesday
WKDW25¶VVDWHOOLWHWUDFNLQJFROODUKDV¿QDOO\
died, but Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
biologists are still getting a faint signal from the radio
portion of the collar.
They can track that with hand-held antennas, and
the signal indicates OR-7’s pack has stopped moving
around.
Biologist Mark Vargas says biologists won’t
disturb the wolves to check for pups until the denning
season ends.
OR-7 became famous as his GPS collar, put on in
2011, showed him trekking across Oregon and into
Northern California in search of a mate, which he
IRXQG7KHLU¿UVWSXSVDUULYHGODVW\HDU
Voters reject ban on GMO food
in Benton County
CORVALLIS (AP) — Benton County voters have
overwhelmingly rejected a measure that would ban
FXOWLYDWLRQRIJHQHWLFDOO\PRGL¿HGRUJDQLVPV
The Corvallis Gazette-Times reports that the
measure was getting less than a third of the vote in
XQRI¿FLDOUHWXUQV7XHVGD\QLJKW
The Benton County Local Food System Ordinance
had become the focus of contentious public forums,
dueling yard signs and vitriolic letters to the editor.
The ordinance was backed by political action
committee Benton Food Freedom. A spokeswoman
for the PAC admitted defeat but said the group will
rewrite the bill and try again.
Many opponents of the measure rallied around
Monroe-area farmer Debbie Crocker, whose family
grows GMO sugarbeets and several other crops.
She says she is relieved the election is over but
expects the controversial proposal will come up again.
Controversial ODFW appointees to get full Senate vote
Senators put hold
on reappointments
WR¿VKFRPPLVVLRQ
By HILLARY BORRUD
Capital Bureau
SALEM — Two contro-
versial appointees to the
Oregon Fish and Wildlife
Commission are headed to the
VWDWH6HQDWHIRUDFRQ¿UPDWLRQ
vote, after they received
support from a committee on
Tuesday afternoon.
7KH VSRUW ¿VKLQJ LQGXVWU\
raised an outcry after Gov.
Kate Brown announced
last month the appointment
of Astoria resident Bruce
%XFNPDVWHU WR ¿OO D VHDW
on the commission that has
been vacant for two years.
6SRUW ¿VKHUV FRPSODLQHG WKDW
Buckmaster had opposed a
SODQ WKDW DOORFDWHV PRUH ¿VK
on the Lower Columbia River
to anglers, and they pointed
out that none of the current
commissioners or Brown’s
appointees work in the sport
¿VKLQJLQGXVWU\
The Senate Committee on
Rules nonetheless voted unan-
imously to send Buckmaster
and fellow appointee Jason
Atkinson of Jacksonville to the
IXOO6HQDWHIRUFRQ¿UPDWLRQ
In a surprise move, the
committee held back the
governor’s two reappoint-
ments — Holly Akenson
of Enterprise, and Michael
Finley of Medford — because
senators said they want new
commissioners who will take
a more active role in helping
the Oregon Department of
)LVK DQG :LOGOLIH WR ¿[ LWV
long-term budget problems.
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million proposed budget for
2015 through 2017 but as
committee member Sen. Brian
Boquist, R-Dallas, said on
7XHVGD\LWLVDOVRPLOOLRQ
short of the revenue necessary
to balance that budget.
“In short, the agency’s
upside down,” Boquist said.
³,W¶VLQVHULRXV¿QDQFLDOSURE-
lems.”
Atkinson said he would
bring to the commission
his experience working on
corporate turnarounds, and
he would push for the state
to more effectively market
¿VKLQJ DQG KXQWLQJ RSSRUWX-
nities in Oregon. Buckmaster
said he would also apply
his business experience to
LPSURYHWKHDJHQF\¶V¿QDQFLDO
health and would like the state
to rank the agency’s programs
in terms of their importance to
its mission.
Atkinson said he initially
considered what it could mean
to his professional reputation
if he takes a position over-
seeing an agency that is in
¿QDQFLDO WURXEOH 6HQ 7HG
Ferrioli, R-John Day, said this
was a valid concern.
“It’s doing everything it can
to alienate its customer base,”
Ferrioli said of the Oregon
Department of Fish and Wild-
life, which receives much of
its revenue from hunting and
¿VKLQJ IHHV ³<RX ZDQW WKH
job, you got it. I’m going to
vote for both of you. But I’m
going to tell you something,
I’m not sure you’re going
to like me a year from now
EHFDXVH , YRWHG WR FRQ¿UP
\RX <RX¶UH ZRUULHG DERXW
\RXUFUHGLELOLW\VHQDWRU"<RX
should be.”
Ferrioli and other senators
said another reason they did
not vote on the two reappoint-
ments Tuesday, aside from the
desire for commissioners who
would take a more active role
in overseeing the agency’s
budget and policies, was that
they want more balance among
interests on the committee.
Buckmaster
previously
owned a salmon feed
company and served on the
board of Salmon for All, a
group that represents commer-
FLDO¿VKHUPHQSURFHVVRUVDQG
other businesses on the Lower
Columbia River. Atkinson is
D À\¿VKHUPDQ IRUPHU VWDWH
senator and Republican candi-
date for governor.
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Copyright © 2015, EO Media Group
TODAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
An afternoon
thunderstorm
Mostly cloudy with
a t-storm
Breezy in the a.m.;
partly sunny
79° 54°
75° 49°
MONDAY
A blend of sun and
clouds
Variable cloudiness
PENDLETON TEMPERATURE FORECAST
72° 49°
72° 51°
77° 54°
HERMISTON TEMPERATURE FORECAST
82° 58°
81° 52°
PENDLETON
through 3 p.m. yesterday
TEMPERATURE
HIGH
LOW
72°
72°
93° (1928)
54°
48°
33° (1910)
PRECIPITATION
24 hours ending 3 p.m.
Month to date
Normal month to date
Year to date
Last year to date
Normal year to date
Trace
1.21"
0.80"
4.34"
6.42"
5.91"
HERMISTON
through 3 p.m. yesterday
TEMPERATURE
HIGH
Yesterday
Normals
Records
LOW
77°
74°
94° (1928)
52°
48°
35° (2003)
PRECIPITATION
24 hours ending 3 p.m.
Month to date
Normal month to date
Year to date
Last year to date
Normal year to date
0.00"
1.25"
0.73"
3.04"
3.77"
4.72"
SUN AND MOON
Sunrise today
Sunset tonight
Moonrise today
Moonset today
First
Full
May 25
June 2
5:18 a.m.
8:26 p.m.
8:44 a.m.
11:41 p.m.
Last
New
June 9
77° 51°
80° 54°
Seattle
76/54
ALMANAC
Yesterday
Normals
Records
78° 51°
June 16
Spokane
Wenatchee
79/55
84/61
Tacoma
Moses
78/52
Lake
Pullman
Aberdeen Olympia
Yakima 85/58
76/49
63/53
77/50
85/57
Longview
Kennewick Walla Walla
74/54
79/60 Lewiston
85/58
Astoria
80/58
62/52
Portland
Enterprise
Hermiston
76/56
Pendleton 67/47
The Dalles 82/58
79/54
81/59
La Grande
Salem
72/50
75/53
Albany
Corvallis 73/52
73/52
John Day
68/48
Ontario
Eugene
Bend
75/53
70/52
68/46
Caldwell
Burns
75/51
65/44
Medford
74/57
Astoria
Baker City
Bend
Brookings
Burns
Enterprise
Eugene
Heppner
Hermiston
John Day
Klamath Falls
La Grande
Meacham
Medford
Newport
North Bend
Ontario
Pasco
Pendleton
Portland
Redmond
Salem
Spokane
Ukiah
Vancouver
Walla Walla
Yakima
REGIONAL FORECAST
Eastern Washington: Some sunshine today,
except more clouds across the south.
Cascades: Mostly cloudy today and tonight
with a thunderstorm in spots.
Northern California: Mostly cloudy today;
an afternoon shower or thunderstorm;
however, dry at the coast.
Lo
52
46
46
51
44
47
52
52
58
48
45
50
43
57
51
54
53
56
54
56
48
53
55
47
55
60
57
Beijing
Hong Kong
Jerusalem
London
Mexico City
Moscow
Paris
Rome
Seoul
Sydney
Tokyo
Lo
59
77
55
47
56
56
45
51
52
56
63
To submit sports or outdoors information or tips:
VSRUWV#HDVWRUHJRQLDQFRP
Real Estate Advertising: Jodi Snook
MVQRRN#HDVWRUHJRQLDQFRP
COMMERCIAL PRINTING
Production Director Jake Duquette
MGXTXHWWH#HDVWRUHJRQLDQFRP
W
c
t
t
c
t
t
c
t
c
t
t
t
t
t
c
c
t
c
t
c
t
c
pc
t
c
t
pc
Hi
61
67
65
61
65
64
70
74
81
67
63
71
64
75
57
60
77
83
75
71
66
72
80
68
70
77
81
NATIONAL WEATHER TODAY
Fri.
Lo
51
44
38
49
40
44
46
47
52
46
35
47
41
48
49
52
54
53
49
53
37
49
53
44
51
56
53
W
c
t
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pc
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pc
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pc
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pc
c
c
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t
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W
pc
t
s
pc
t
c
c
pc
pc
sh
pc
Hi
89
83
80
68
76
77
66
70
76
63
75
Fri.
Lo
62
79
56
52
56
57
49
56
52
55
63
W
pc
t
s
t
t
t
c
sh
s
r
pc
WINDS
Boardman
Pendleton
Today
Friday
WNW 3-6
WNW 3-6
WSW 7-14
W 7-14
UV INDEX TODAY
1
3
5
To submit engagements, weddings and anniversaries:
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FRPFRPPXQLW\DQQRXQFHPHQWV
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Today
Hi
87
86
82
66
79
72
63
71
75
68
75
To submit community events, calendar items and Your EO News:
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WORLD CITIES
Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.
Coastal Oregon: Rather cloudy today into
tomorrow. Saturday: a shower in spots
across the north.
Eastern and Central Oregon: Mostly cloudy
today with a shower and thunderstorm
around.
Western Washington: Times of clouds and
sun today, except low clouds followed by
some sun at the coast.
Hi
62
69
68
60
65
67
70
76
82
68
64
72
67
74
57
61
75
85
79
76
71
75
79
70
76
79
85
NEWS
To submit news tips and press releases:FDOO
ID[HPDLOQHZV#HDVWRUHJRQLDQFRP
ClassiÀed Advertising:
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Today
(in mph)
Klamath Falls
64/45
Corrections
The East Oregonian works hard to be accurate and
sincerely regrets any errors. If you notice a mistake
in the paper, please call 541-966-0818.
REGIONAL CITIES
Forecast
SUNDAY
GRANTS PASS (AP) — For the fourth time
since 2012, voters in Josephine County have rejected
a tax increase to restore cuts in law enforcement
made when the federal government slashed timber
subsidies.
The Grants Pass Daily Courier reports the
Tuesday vote was 54 percent to 46 percent against
D¿YH\HDUOHY\WRUDLVHPLOOLRQD\HDUIRUWKH
VKHULII¶VRI¿FH,WZRXOGKDYHUHVWRUHGSDWUROVDQG
expanded jail capacity.
Federal timber revenues shared with the county
were so plentiful in the 1970s that Josephine County
didn’t levy property taxes.
But since logging was cut back in the 1990s to
SURWHFW¿VKDQGZLOGOLIHWKRVHUHYHQXHVKDYHGHFOLQHG
sharply.
&RQJUHVV¿OOHGWKHJDSZLWKVXEVLGLHVWRWLPEHU
counties, but those funds have declined and at one
point ran out.
ADVERTISING
Advertising Director: Jennine Perkinson
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Subscriber services:
For home delivery, vacation stops or delivery concerns: 1-800-522-0255
— Founded Oct. 16, 1875 —
Josephine County voters again
reject public safety tax
6
4
1
8 a.m. 10 a.m. Noon 2 p.m. 4 p.m. 6 p.m.
0-2, Low
3-5, Moderate 6-7, High;
8-10, Very High;
11+, Extreme
The higher the AccuWeather.com UV Index™ num-
ber, the greater the need for eye and skin protection.
Forecasts and graphics provided by
AccuWeather, Inc. ©2015
Shown are noon positions of weather systems and precipitation. Temperature bands are highs for the day.
-10s
-0s
showers t-storms
0s
10s
rain
20s
flurries
30s
40s
snow
ice
50s
60s
cold front
70s
80s
90s
100s
warm front stationary front
110s
high
low
National Summary: A cloudy, cool and soggy day is in store for parts of the mid-Atlantic
today. High pressure will drive cool air deep into the Plains, with thunderstorms across
Texas. Spotty storms will develop in the West.
Yesterday’s National Extremes: (for the 48 contiguous states)
High 96° in Presidio, Texas
Low 21° in Brimson, Minn.
NATIONAL CITIES
Today
Albuquerque
Atlanta
Atlantic City
Baltimore
Billings
Birmingham
Boise
Boston
Charleston, SC
Charleston, WV
Chicago
Cleveland
Dallas
Denver
Detroit
El Paso
Fairbanks
Fargo
Honolulu
Houston
Indianapolis
Jacksonville
Kansas City
Las Vegas
Little Rock
Los Angeles
Hi
68
79
59
56
67
76
75
66
92
62
67
62
68
60
66
82
79
70
83
82
61
93
66
78
70
70
Lo
50
57
48
47
45
53
53
50
65
43
46
47
61
47
46
59
51
41
69
70
46
66
46
59
53
57
W
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pc
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pc
pc
t
pc
c
c
pc
pc
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s
pc
pc
pc
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pc
pc
pc
Hi
75
79
72
77
69
78
72
69
80
72
62
61
74
62
64
88
81
75
83
82
72
87
67
73
71
68
Fri.
Lo
48
61
45
46
46
57
51
47
61
42
44
40
65
44
40
62
53
47
69
72
49
67
51
58
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57
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Today
Louisville
Memphis
Miami
Milwaukee
Minneapolis
Nashville
New Orleans
New York City
Oklahoma City
Omaha
Philadelphia
Phoenix
Portland, ME
Providence
Raleigh
Rapid City
Reno
Sacramento
St. Louis
Salt Lake City
San Diego
San Francisco
Seattle
Tucson
Washington, DC
Wichita
Hi
65
69
91
67
71
68
88
64
68
70
60
89
68
69
75
63
66
72
65
70
67
66
76
87
60
66
Lo
47
52
76
44
47
46
74
52
53
46
51
66
48
47
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53
50
W
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Hi
75
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91
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64
69
75
82
67
73
76
58
64
72
74
63
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77
60
Fri.
Lo
56
61
77
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52
53
73
49
57
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49
63
42
44
53
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51
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50
60
55
51
56
53
53
Weather (W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy, c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms, r-rain,
sf-snow flurries, sn-snow, i-ice.
W
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pc
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