La Grande Proposes 5-Cent Gas Tax for Road Repairs Amidst Public Concern
In La Grande, Oregon, the city is proposing a local 5-cent-per-gallon gas tax to fund road repairs, a measure facing public opposition over affordability but deemed necessary by officials due to a significant funding shortfall for infrastructure maintenance.
Bend, OR, October 9, 2026 — La Grande, Oregon is considering a new local tax on gasoline, proposing a 5-cent increase per gallon. The proposed tax is intended to generate funds specifically for the maintenance and repair of city roads.
City officials have indicated that the measure is a necessary step to address a significant shortfall in funding allocated for infrastructure maintenance. The current budget, they argue, is insufficient to cover the ongoing costs associated with keeping the city’s road network in adequate condition.
However, the proposal is not without its challenges. The measure has encountered public opposition, with residents expressing concerns regarding affordability. Critics suggest that an additional tax on gasoline could place an undue financial burden on households and local businesses, particularly in the current economic climate.
The exact details regarding the timeline for the proposed tax’s implementation, the specific road repair projects it would fund, or the precise amount of the identified funding shortfall were not provided. Similarly, the names of the officials advocating for the tax or the specific groups leading the public opposition have not been publicly detailed.
The city council is expected to further deliberate on the proposal. The outcome will depend on balancing the acknowledged need for infrastructure improvements against the public’s concerns about the financial impact of the proposed tax.
Story summarized from the original created by Monica Carrillo-Casas on www.opb.org, see more information here.
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