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Good morning, Northwest.

Oregon lawmakers will return to Salem tomorrow for a special session focused on passing a plan to fund roads, bridges, transit and more.

Gov. Tina Kotek has offered a proposal to fill the $300 million gap in ODOT’s budget. It includes a provision to make EV drivers chip in 2 cents for every mile they drive to pay for road maintenance.

OPB climate reporter Monica Samayoa starts today’s newsletter explaining the "road usage charge‚" gas taxes and how they affect Oregon’s climate goals.

Also this morning, we have an update on the Flat Fire burning in Central Oregon and six ways to visualize the Labor Day fires of 2020.

The newsletter concludes with a feature on a storied Northwest tradition: tugboat racing.

Here’s your First Look at Thursday’s news.

— Bradley W. Parks

Kotek’s transportation plan could reshape how Oregonians think about electric vehicles

A new proposal under Gov. Tina Kotek’s transportation bill would require EV and plug-in hybrid drivers to enroll in a program that would charge them a per-mile fee, or a “road usage charge,” for driving on any Oregon road.

The state says it needs the charge to fill the Oregon Department of Transportation’s $300 million budget gap. That gap exists in part due to more people buying EVs — and no longer paying the state’s 40-cent-per-gallon gas tax, which goes toward things like road maintenance.

In testimony, advocates for drivers of gas-powered cars said they support the governor’s legislation.

But environmental groups — and people who already have EVs — say the governor’s current proposal could deter people from driving these vehicles and could significantly slow down emissions reductions from the transportation sector. (Monica Samayoa)

Learn more

4 things to know this morning

• The Flat Fire, burning about two miles northeast of Sisters, grew to over 23,000 acres yesterday. The fire threatens over 3,000 homes, and it has already destroyed four. The perimeter of the fire is still only 7% contained. (Riley Martinez)

• Federal tax cuts passed by Congress could blow a nearly $400 million hole in Oregon’s budget. That could force Oregon lawmakers to either cut spending or raise taxes. (Dirk VanderHart)

• Over the past two decades, Newberg’s George Fox University has quietly grown to become Oregon’s largest private university. University leaders credit the school’s expansion to its commitment to both student needs and to its roots in the Christian faith. (Tiffany Camhi)

• Starting Labor Day weekend 2020, wildfires charred Oregon’s land, choked the air, and cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars — maybe billions. These maps, charts and videos​​​​​​​ help us visualize what happened. (Courtney Sherwood)

Headlines from around the Northwest

• Gov. Ferguson pauses approval of major solar project in central Washington (Jerry Cornfield)

• State analysis claimed surge in gun background checks. Oregon State Police disagree (Shaanth Nanguneri)

• Pac-12 secures extension of TV deal with The CW for football and basketball (Associated Press)

Listen in on OPB’s daily conversation

“Think Out Loud” airs at noon and 8 p.m. weekdays on OPB Radio, opb.org and the OPB News app. Today’s planned topics (subject to change):

• Portland officials share efforts they say are helping curb gun violence, homicides

• How IRCO is helping Oregon refugees and immigrants amid ongoing immigration crackdown

🚢 See the Northwest’s last remaining tugboat races this weekend

This Labor Day weekend, Olympia’s waterfront will host a series of tugboat races on the open water of Budd Inlet at the 51st annual Olympia Harbor Days Festival, a free event that has become a regional tradition since 1974.

The origins of tugboat racing go back to the early days of the Pacific Northwest’s bustling maritime economy. In the era when tugboats were the workhorses of the harbor, crews would race to be the first to assist large ships entering port.

The first tug to reach a vessel would earn the job, an important source of income in a fiercely competitive industry.

Over time, the professional rivalry turned into friendly competition in several port cities of Puget Sound, including Seattle, Tacoma and Olympia.

Today, Olympia Harbor Days is the only remaining festival that continues the tradition of tugboat races. (Ian McCluskey)

Learn more

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News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2025/08/28/road-use-charge-ev-oregon-first-look/