ODOT Begins Largest State Layoffs, Nearly 500 Workers Affected

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has initiated the first wave of layoffs, affecting 483 employees as part of an expected total of 600 to 700 layoffs due to a budget shortfall following the 2025 legislative session's failure to pass necessary funding. Governor Tina Kotek described this as the largest mass layoff in Oregon state government history and an emergency that will impact essential transportation services statewide, including road maintenance, pothole repairs, fire evacuation routes, graffiti removal, and winter snow and ice clearance. ODOT plans to implement cost-saving measures such as reducing material purchases, delaying vehicle replacements, and closing some maintenance stations to mitigate impacts. Kotek emphasized that this crisis was preventable and called for legislative action to prevent further layoffs and service disruptions, warning that without intervention, Oregonians could face significant hardships, especially during winter. The layoffs affect a broad range of employees, including many in maintenance and operations, and have drawn criticism from unions and political divisions, with Republicans opposing new taxes proposed to fund transportation. A second wave of layoffs is planned for early 2026 if no funding solution is reached, underscoring the urgent need for a shared commitment to resolve the crisis.