Portland voters reject regional transportation measure

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A majority of voters in Portland, Ore., have rejected a regional transportation measure, known as “Get Moving 2020.”

The measure, which would have funded more than 150 safety, transit, bridge, and roadway projects throughout Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties, was defeated 57 percent to 43 percent. The measure would have also created funding for youth bus/MAX passes, bus electrification programs, and safe routes to school programs, among other programs.

“This was an unprecedented election. There were many things on the ballot and a lot of things on people’s minds,” said Metro Council President Lynn Peterson. “I want to thank voters for considering this measure. Though disappointed, we are still committed to the vision and to the community who helped identify and build the vision. The fact is, our communities — particularly communities of color and low-income families struggling the most right now — still need safer streets, better transit, and improved access to opportunity… An incredible amount of community work, over the course of years, went into shaping the projects and programs in this measure. This work remains invaluable. We are not giving up on it. We need to move forward as a region. We’re going to keep growing. Safe, reliable transportation remains a regional challenge that we must address together – doing nothing is not an option.”

Nathan Stokes, a field representative supervisor for the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 701, and a member of the Transportation Funding Task Force, said the measure is important in creating new jobs for the area.

“Transportation investments are a critical source of family-wage jobs and apprenticeship hours for our region. We were proud to stand with our labor partners to support Get Moving 2020 because we know what a difference it would make for thousands of hardworking families in communities across our region,” Stokes said. “Although this was not the outcome we sought, we are committed to continuing to work with community, business, and public partners, who recognize the value of transportation investments and the living-wage jobs they create.”