OR: Salem Transit Board Would Have Power to Levy Tax if Bill Passes Legislature

Feb. 20, 2018
A bill written to fundamentally change the Salem Area Mass Transit District cleared another hurdle Monday by achieving unanimous support, albeit hesitant for some, from an Oregon House committee.

A bill written to fundamentally change the Salem Area Mass Transit District cleared another hurdle Monday by achieving unanimous support, albeit hesitant for some, from an Oregon House committee.

Written with Cherriots specifically in mind, the bill would give Oregon's governor the authority to appoint community members to the board of directors and would grant the board, in seven years, the ability to impose a tax to fund transit improvements.

These changes would align Salem's transit district's structure with Lane Transit District in Eugene and Tri-Met in Portland. The bill is designed specifically to change the Salem Area Mass Transit District because it is the only district in the state with this particular structure.

Read the complete article at http://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/politics/2018/02/19/salem-transit-board-would-have-power-levy-tax-if-bill-passes-legislature/352726002/