State Rep. Greg Smith (R-Heppner) has been appointed by legislative leadership to serve on the Joint Transportation Committee.
The newly formed committee is tasked with providing oversight for the implementation of the recently passed transportation package, ensuring projects are managed appropriately and taxpayer dollars are spent wisely.
“It is a great privilege to have been chosen by the Speaker to serve on this committee,” said Rep. Smith, who also served on the Joint Transportation Preservation and Modernization Committee in the 2017 session. “Passing the transportation package during the last legislative session was an incredibly important step for our state, but it was really just the beginning of our work. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the legislature, our state agencies and our local governments to ensure Oregonians’ tax dollars are managed wisely, and our constituents receive the best return on investment possible with these new projects.”
The 2017 transportation package, which passed both chambers of the Legislature with broad bipartisan support, paved the way for a decade of new investment in Oregon’s infrastructure. The multi-year, $5.3 billion investment plan includes funding for congestion relief projects, seismic resiliency efforts, and road and bridge preservation and maintenance. The package also includes a number of transparency and accountability features that will strengthen oversight of the Department of Transportation and the project contracting process. As a member of the Joint Transportation Committee, Rep. Smith will be tasked with monitoring and guiding the implementation of each provision of the package.
“I take the duties and responsibilities associated with serving on this committee very seriously,” concluded Rep. Smith. “I’m excited to get to work in the 2018 session.”
Representative Greg Smith is currently serving his ninth consecutive term in the Oregon House of Representatives. As the state representative for House District 57, he serves constituents in Umatilla, Morrow, Gilliam, Sherman and Wasco Counties.
