City Commissioner Steve Novick Wants A Street Fee That Uses Your Income to Estimate How Much Gas You Burn

ROAD WARRIOR: "I'm confronted with situations," says City Commissioner Steve Novick (right), with Mayor Charlie Hales, "where compromising my values that I've always held dear seems more necessary than I would have hoped."

City Commissioner Steve Novick says he'll try to pass a compromise version of the proposed street fee to fund city transportation projects that would charge households by levels of estimated gasoline consumption.

Novick warns that if City Council or voters reject that plan, he'll return with an income tax that places a heavy burden on the rich.

"We are proposing a revised residential user fee, with a hearing on January 8 at 6 pm and a vote scheduled for January 14," Novick said this morning in a press release. "If that fails, either in Council or through a subsequent referral to the ballot, we will prepare to campaign for a progressive income tax in 2016."

Either version of the street fee would raise $23 million—combined with a $23 million business fee, which Novick says remains unchanged.

Novick's announcement unveils a threat that's been discussed in City Hall for weeks: If opponents of the street fee refer it to the ballot and voters defeat it, Novick will return with an income tax, the option the Portland Business Alliance hates.

Novick's press release lays out both scenarios:

UPDATE, 11:22 am:
Charlie Hales
WW
UPDATE, 1:15 pm:
Robert McCullough
credited by The Portland Tribune
UPDATE, 2:40 pm:
Sandra McDonough
WW

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