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SUNNY Temp: 86 °F Wind: WNW at 9 mph Thursday, July 24, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend July 9, 2003 Ashland mayor heads up talks on county gas tax By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune Oregon’s failure to fund long-range transportation needs has fueled local interest in a gas tax for Jackson and Josephine counties. Ashland Mayor Alan DeBoer said the state hasn’t come up with a plan, so it’s up to the counties to come up with their own solution. "We can’t say ‘let’s wait for the state,’" he said. "Several counties in Oregon are already passing their own gas tax." For every penny raised on a gallon of gas, the two counties would receive $2 million annually that would pay for projects addressing long-range traffic issues. Advertisement At the urging of DeBoer, the Rogue Valley Area Commission on Transportation, which has discussed a gas tax before, took up the issue at its meeting Monday. "One of the biggest problems we’re going to have is alternative routes," said DeBoer. "If Medford loses the viaduct for any reason, we’ll have the worst gridlock you can imagine." Planning should begin now to build a beltway around Medford before more land is filled in with housing developments, he said. In 2000, a ballot measure that would have added a 5-cent per gallon tax was defeated by voters. "It ticked off AAA and it ticked off the truckers," DeBoer said. While he agrees there is a strong anti-tax sentiment in this region, DeBoer said the public still wants a good transportation system. "Nobody wants to pay more taxes," he said. "But nobody wants to be gridlocked in traffic." Even though the state has proposed a $2.5 billion bonding program that would pay for $193 million in bridges for Jackson and Josephine counties, DeBoer said it only helps improve the current infrastructure. Even projects such as the north and south Medford interchanges and Highway 62 improvements will only provide minimal relief in the long-range transportation picture, he said. Medford City Councilman Skip Knight said there is a lot of work that needs to be done before the tax is put on the ballot. "I don’t think voters will give you a blank checkbook," he said. "I expressed today (Monday) that in order for taxpayers in the county to buy into this, you better have projects already indicated." The Oregon Department of Transportation is taking on some projects in the county, but Knight said the needs are infinite. "We have $600 million to $700 million in projects that need to be done just in Jackson County," he said. Gary Leaming, ODOT project information specialist, said there would be much debate over how much in taxes should be raised, what sort of local projects should be funded and whether the state and local governments can combine their efforts. "We’re just scratching the surface and asking the question if this is something we should look at," said Leaming. There is also debate over whether a ballot measure should apply to both Jackson and Josephine counties. Knight said residents from one county might go to another county to get cheaper gas. DeBoer doubted that a difference of a few pennies would be enough to spur a resident from one county to travel to another county for a better deal at the pump. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times