Buckle up for an Oregon driving-tax blowout: Editorial

For Oregonians who care about the cost of driving, the most significant development Tuesday might prove to be the upset of incumbent Republican state Sen. Betsy Close by Democrat Sara Gelser in District 8, which covers parts of Albany and Corvallis. Even before the Senate seat switcheroo, lawmakers were likely to consider a road-funding package during the 2015 session. Now, Oregonians may have to swallow two pieces of legislation that will raise the cost of commuting, shopping and everything else people do with their cars.

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DOT plans to mandate ‘talking’ cars

The Obama administration announced Monday that it intends to require new cars to include technology enabling them to communicate with each other, a step that transportation planners have said could significantly reduce crashes. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx told reporters that he hopes to finish the mandate before President Barack Obama leaves office. That would allow time for DOT and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to work out issues including security and privacy.

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