Republicans have pulled out of talks in the Oregon Legislature to craft a transportation funding package. But Democrats will need at least one Republican in the House if they want to pass a finance measure.

SALEM — Tempers are running high enough now that minority Republicans in the Senate and the House have suspended their participation in devising a financing plan for road reports and other transportation projects.

Democratic majorities prevailed this week on Senate Bill 324, extending a state standard for low-carbon fuels that Republicans objected to vigorously. Republicans say they might return if, by some chance, Gov. Kate Brown vetoes that bill — but Brown has spoken favorably about the standard, though she has not committed to signing it.

To pass any revenue-raising measure for transportation or anything else, Democrats will need at least one Republican vote in the House — and preferable more Republicans in both chambers – to deter any attempt to force a statewide election by voter petition.

Democrats have a 35-25 majority in the House, and 18-12 in the Senate.

It remains to be seen whether the GOP walkaway is just temporary or is prolonged.

House Republican members are Rep. Cliff Bentz of Ontario and Rep. John Davis of Wilsonville.

Bentz is the top Republican on the House Revenue Committee — under the Oregon Constitution, any revenue-raising measure must originate in the House — and a member of the transportation committee. Davis is the top Republican on the transportation committee and a member of the revenue committee. Also, as assistant leaders, they are part of the House GOP caucus team.

Senate Republican members are Sen. Jeff Kruse of Roseburg and Sen. Doug Whitsett of Klamath Falls, neither of whom sits on the Senate revenue or transportation committees.

A number of transportation users, local governments and environmental groups are part of an informal work group trying to devise a plan.

Among the elements of a financing plan floated by the coalition last fall are a 5-cent-per-gallon increase in the gasoline tax and future linkage with some indicator, such as fuel efficiency, and more lottery-backed bonds to pay for projects other than roads and bridges.

However, the work group has nonmonetary issues, such as whether to allow cities and counties to add their own fuel taxes on top of the state rates.

Meanwhile, the Senate has approved and sent to the House SB 270, which shifts about $23 million in bond money resulting from the most recent transportation funding plan lawmakers passed in 2009.

All but about $6 million of the $23 million will go to highway projects in the Portland metropolitan area – specifically U.S. 26 near Hillsboro, which will get $16 million – and $6 million will go to a Eugene-area project at Beltline Road and Delta Highway.

— This story first appeared in the Oregon Capital Insider newsletter. To subscribe, go to oregoncapitalinsider.com