Governor Tina Kotek of Oregon is playing hardball with state funds, threatening to bust out the veto pen on a series of budget allocations earmarked for local infrastructure projects. The governor’s office issued a notice that she is considering line-item vetoes for several one-time funding allocations, as she demands more details to ensure these funds lead to new housing production as intended.
According to a release from the governor's office on Monday, there's $14 million on the chopping block unless seven cities and districts can prove their projects are indeed "shovel-ready" and directly connected to housing developments. These projects range from wastewater treatment facility upgrades to water system developments—all critical to support housing but now under Kotek's strict scrutiny.
"The legislative intent of this funding is to support shovel-ready projects that are essential for new housing production," Governor Kotek said. "Before making final decisions, I am giving cities and districts the opportunity to provide more information to my office to confirm whether these funding allocations will result in the production of new housing within an acceptable timeline."
On top of the seven infrastructure projects, the GUV has also got her eye on a $2 million allocation to the Old Town Community Association for a development project in Downtown Portland. Kotek appreciates the aim to revitalize Old Town but wants the full lowdown on project financing before giving it the green light. She's promised to make her final veto decisions public by April 17, leaving local officials in a scramble to justify their funding before the deadline.
