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ATU 757 Testimony Guide: Support the STIF Increase to 0.3%
Hearing Date: Wednesday, June 11 Time: 4:00–6:00 PM
Location: Oregon State Capitol or Online
Help us urge the legislature to pass HB 2025, which includes a 0.2% increase to the Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund (STIF) payroll tax, raising the total rate to 0.3%. This increase will triple current STIF funding and protect public transit from harmful service cuts.
Key Message
- The 0.3% STIF payroll tax rate is a major win for riders, workers, and Oregon’s climate and economic goals.
- This funding helps prevent service cuts, protect union jobs, and support communities that rely on transit.
- The legislature must fully pass HB 2025 with the 0.3% STIF rate to give transit agencies and workers the stability they need.
Testimony Format (2 Minutes / ~250 Words)
- Opening Co-Chairs Gorsek and McLain, and Members of the Joint Committee on Transportation, thank you for the opportunity to speak.” “My name is [Name], and I’m a proud member of ATU 757. I’ve worked as a [bus operator/mechanic/dispatcher/etc.] at [Transit Agency] for [X] years, serving [City/Region].”
- Personal Experience Describe your role and what your work means to the community. Share a brief story about a rider you helped, or a time you saw firsthand how vital transit is to someone's life.
- The Problem The 0.2% increase, which brings the STIF payroll tax rate from 0.1% to 0.3%, is a huge improvement over the original 0.08% proposal. This new rate is enough to prevent deep service cuts that many agencies, including mine, were preparing to implement. The original 0.08% proposal would have led to significant reductions in service and threatened jobs. ATU 757 fully supports this increase to 0.3% as it gives us the ability to protect service, preserve jobs, and keep Oregon’s riders moving.
- Local Impact Mention specific impacts if funding didn’t increase. Consider:
- Did your agency face potential route eliminations or reduced service hours?
- How would this affect specific communities or populations in your area (e.g., seniors, students, low-income riders)?
- Closing Ask Please pass HB 2025 with the full increase to a 0.3% STIF payroll tax. This is the level of funding our agencies need to maintain service, protect jobs, and keep Oregon’s economy moving. Thank you for your time and for supporting the workers and riders who keep Oregon connected.
KEY HEARING DETAILS: Date: Wednesday, June 11 Time: 4:00–6:00 PM
Location: Oregon State Capitol or Online
How to Participate
Want to Testify In-Person or Virtually? Email Bill Bradley at billb@atu757.org as soon as possible to be registered to speak during the hearing.
Prefer to Submit Written Testimony? Upload your written testimony here: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Testimony/JTR/HB/2025/0000-00-00-00-00?area=Measures
Talking Point Starters
- “Transit is essential, not just for riders, but for those of us who keep the system running.”
- “The 0.3% STIF rate is the funding level that makes stability possible.”
- “A few extra dollars in payroll tax keeps service on the road and people in jobs.”
- “We can't meet our climate and equity goals without reliable public transportation.”
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