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June 4, 2025, marked a pivotal moment for transportation in Oregon as state legislators officially unveiled the SMART Framework for the upcoming 2025 Transportation Package. And guess what? Our Executive Board Officer Bill Bradley, alongside LTD Retirees Lee Lasse and Tom Shackelford, and Salem Cherriots Operators Jeff Steele and Gloria Derowits, were right there on the Capitol steps to lend their crucial support!
This isn't just another legislative proposal; the SMART Framework, which stands for Safe, Modern, Affordable & Accountable, Reliable Transportation, is a generational opportunity to build a transportation system that truly works for every Oregonian. It builds on previous efforts, incorporating vital feedback from legislators and stakeholders, and we're seeing some incredible wins for transit within it.
So, what does the SMART Framework mean for us and for transit in Oregon? Here's the breakdown:
- No Cuts to Transit, Period! One of the most critical elements for us is the commitment that STIF (State Transportation Improvement Fund) investments will ensure transit agencies statewide can maintain their existing service levels. This is huge – it means protecting the services our communities rely on and the jobs we do.
- Real Investment in Transit: The framework proposes incrementally raising the employee payroll tax to 0.5% by 2032, with these funds specifically dedicated to transit through the STIF. This is a concrete step towards sustainable funding for our essential services.
- Free Transit for Youth: Get ready for a statewide Youth Pass expansion! All transit agencies will be directed to plan for this, providing free transit for Oregonians 22 and younger. Imagine the impact this will have on access to education, jobs, and opportunities for young people across the state!
- Protecting Our Lifeline: As Senator Khanh Pham emphasized, the SMART Framework is designed to be accountable to Oregonians by preventing cuts to transit service. Representative Mark Gamba also drove home the point that decades of underfunding have led to crumbling infrastructure, and we can't afford to "kick the can" down the road any longer. As RJ Navarro, a Veteran and Salem CHERRIOTS Board Member, eloquently put it, public transportation is a "lifeline" for so many, veterans, low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities, providing crucial access to care, jobs, and connection. Andrea Meyer of Oregon AARP reinforced this, highlighting how critical independent transportation is for older Oregonians to age in place. And let's not forget Karina Guzmán Ortiz, a Parent and Salem-Keizer School Board Member, who stressed that safe and reliable transportation is fundamental to ensuring students can even get to school!
- ATU's Voice Matters: Bill Bradley, with Amalgamated Transit Union Local 757, articulated what we all know: "Transit is a lifeline for the 1 in 3 Oregonians who can't or don't drive, in communities big and small across the state." He also underscored that protecting public transportation not only provides greater transportation options but also secures "critical family-wage jobs across the state of Oregon." We are proud to stand with the legislators and community leaders who are demanding full funding for transit and preventing cuts to service.
This is a significant step towards a safer, more equitable, and more sustainable transportation system for Oregon. By investing in these priorities, the SMART Framework aims to protect transit service, reduce deadly crashes, and build a system that truly works for everyone.
Stay tuned for more updates as the SMART Framework moves forward. Our collective voice and continued advocacy will be key to ensuring these vital investments become a reality!
https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2025/06/key-oregon-democrats-signal-support-for-public-transit-climate-friendly-transportation-framework.html
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