b'2024 State ReportOREGON Fuels Association ReportWinter is here,and with it comes the opportu- Finally, voters approved BM 115, which willnity for change. For all of us, the election has beenamend Oregons Constitution to allow thefront and center on our minds. Legislature to impeach statewide elected officials Most of the country saw a red wave electingif both the House and Senate reach an affirma-President Trump and flipping the US Senate totive two-thirds vote.Republican control. But like many other years,There is an ongoing public battle around one Wood-that red wave crashed at the border of Oregon. Allburn, Oregon gas station with higher gas prices than statewide races went to Democrats and Demo- neighboring stations, but it has also raised price crats gained a supermajority in the Oregon Senatesignage issues as a conversation topic at the legisla-Krista Fenton Williams(18-12). On the flip side, Republicans held the lineture. Oregon has no requirement that gas prices are OFA Executive Director to avoid giving Democrats a supermajority in theposted on signs seen from the road.Oregon House (35-25).In hundreds of complaints to state agencies, custom-Statewide Racesers feel a combination of deceptive business prac-As anticipated, Democrats continued their winningtices allows the station to overcharge consumers. streak in each of the three statewide races. FormerThe Woodburn station is routinely charging roughly House Speaker Dan Rayfield (D) defeated Will$3 more per gallon than all neighboring stations.Lathrop (R) for Oregon Attorney General. TobiasThe marquee sign does not list prices. Prices are Read (D) defeated Dennis Linthicum (R) for Sec- only displayed on pumps, and receipts are only of-retary of Statethe next in-line for Governor. Andfered inside. Customers say that pumps are labeled Elizabeth Steiner (D) defeated Brian Boquist (R)full service, which leads many to stay in their cars for State Treasurer. The outcome of all races closelyand not see the prices on the pumps.tracked with the historical split between Republi-cans and Democrats in Oregon statewide races. The letter written by a representative for the gas Ballot Measures station states- Prices are shown on the pumps for each grade of gasoline and diesel, in accordance Oregonians rejected to the most egregious ballotwith Oregon law. measures this cycle by wide margins. Our station is a franchisee of BP Arco (Corporate)BM 118 would have created a new 3% corporateand is charged much higher prices by BP Arco for minimum tax based on sales, returning an annualthe fuel that we buy from them than they charge dividend to Oregonians. The measure facedother Arco stations in the area. This makes it nec-broad opposition from business leaders, unions, andessary for us to charge more than neighboring sta-bipartisan lawmakers, including Governor Kotek.tions in order to stay in business, the letter says.The measure went down by a margin that made aSome states require stations to post prices onstatement - 78.8% to 21.2%. signs that can be seen from the road. OregonVoters also rejected BM 117, which would havehas no such requirement.established ranked-choice voting for federal andThis season is a time for reflection, planning, and statewide elected offices. Portland implementedsetting intentions for the year ahead. ranked-choice voting this fall, while Multnomah County voters will use the system starting inAs we approach a new year, its an important oppor-November 2026. tunity for OFA to strengthen relationships amongst BM 116 would have established a commission toour members. We are excited once again this year study and set the salaries and compensation forto welcome everyone to the Portland Golf Club for statewide elected officials. The measure failed withour annual Holiday Party on December 11th for 53% of the votes opposed. cocktails, hors doeuvres and great company! We wish you a productive and fulfilling winter. S44 www.wpma.com /Winter 2024'