Regarding the 2017 transportation package that’s being worked on by the state legislature, State Representative, House District 60, Cliff Bentz  said, “You need to tell me what you want me to do.”

Bentz paid a visit to Harney County on Wednesday, Oct. 19, to talk about several issues, including the transportation package.

Using a PowerPoint presentation, Bentz explained that roads and bridges across the state are failing and are in dire need of repair and/or replacement. At the current time, Oregon’s gas tax is 30 cents per gallon. The average driver drives 10,234 miles per year, and on average, a vehicle gets about 20 miles per gallon. With those figures, the average driver uses about 511 gallons of fuel each year, which equates to each driver paying $153.51 per year, or about $12.79 per month or 1.5 cents per mile, in gas taxes. Because one mile of new state highway costs about $1 million, the average driver is using a $1 million asset at a cost of 1.5 cents.

Although money for roads is also collected from registration and title fees, the amount falls well short of what is needed to upgrade the state’s road system. When other fees are factored in, Oregon’s automobile taxes amount to 44 cents per gallon, lower than almost every other Western state.

If the state gas tax were to increase by just one cent, the average Oregon driver would pay an additional 43 cents per month,or $5.11 per year. A 5-cent increase in the gas tax would translate to an additional $2.13 per month ($25.58 per year)for the average Oregon driver; a 10-cent increase would cost the average driver about $4.26 additional each month ($51.17 per year); a 15-cent increase would cost the average driver about $6.39 additional each month ($76.75 per year); and a  20-cent increase would cost the average driver about $8.52 additional each month ($102.34 per year).

Malheur County Roadmaster Richard Moulton has said that when a paved road reaches “poor” or “very poor” condition, it must be either replaced or reverted back to gravel.

Because there are thousands of miles of state, county and city roads that need repair or replacement, it’s up to residents to decide how much money they want to spend to keep the roads and streets in good condition.

Bentz said that 50 percent of each state gas tax dollar goes to the Oregon Department of Transportation for use on state highways, meaning that at least 75 percent of the cost of state highways in Eastern Oregon are paid for by Western Oregon.

Contents of a new transportation package could include a new long-term plan for the state; increased funding for counties and cities;improvement of statewide export opportunities; and intermodal hubs around the state.

Bentz added that the last gas tax increases in the state were in 1993 and 2009, and have not kept up with the rising cost of materials for roads and bridges.

Looking at the cost to residents as well as the need for improvements to roads and bridges, Bentz is asking for input from his constituents.

When asked about Measure 97, which would increase the corporate minimum tax for the largest corporations doing business in Oregon with more than $25 million in Oregon sales, Bentz gave it a thumbs-down.

Bentz also discussed the current study on the water supply in the Harney Basin, the need for reduction in medical costs, education spending, a more balanced tax system, and the possible expansion of duties for the secretary of state office.