March 5, 2025 4:00 a.m.

On Tuesday, Oregon House Republicans strongly condemned efforts by House Democrats to raise the cost of living for Oregonians with HB 3362.

A release from the House Republican Caucus said the Tire Tax would impose a 4 percent tax on tires sold in Oregon and send taxpayer funds towards rail transit, animal crossings and more. The GOP says none of the funds collected would go towards core functions of the Oregon Department of Transportation.

House Republican Leader Christine Drazan said, “Oregonians are frustrated by the rising cost of living and the Tire Tax will make it more expensive for families to drop their kids off at school, drive to work and pick up groceries”. Drazan said, “House Republicans want Oregonians to keep more of what they make and oppose new taxes that increase the cost of living”.

The release said minutes before the Joint Transportation Committee held a hearing on the proposal, written public testimony opposing the Tire Tax was at 88 percent, or 1,556 transmissions opposing the tax compared to 12 percent, or 212 submissions, in support.

Vice-Chair of the House Revenue Committee Representative E. Werner Reschke said, “The Tire Tax is a direct attack on working class and rural Oregonians who have to drive longer distances to get to work. Purchasing new tires is already expensive and can often be a budget buster for many Oregonians”. Reschke said, “Tires are an essential product for family transportation, and taxing them does nothing to make life more affordable for Oregonians”.