In this episode of Oregon D.O.G.E., Senators Daniel Bonham, Mike McLane, and David Brock Smith return to one of the most important questions facing Oregonians: Where is all the money going?
With Oregon’s total budget doubling since 2011, and the general fund growing nearly 40% since 2019, the episode lays bare the explosive growth in spending—and the quiet shift of funding from taxpayer-backed services to fee-based programs.
The senators point to DEQ’s explosive fee increases, the rise of program-specific taxes (like Oregon’s EV rebate scheme), and how federal dependency is now a major risk—over 30% of Oregon’s budget comes from federal funds.
Even more alarming? Despite spending over $18,000 per K–12 student, Oregon ranks 38th in performance, with much of that money swallowed by PERS obligations and administrative mandates.
Key Topics Discussed
- Oregon’s $140 billion budget: what it includes and how fast it’s grown
- Hidden fees, the corporate activity tax, and mission creep in government services
- DEQ’s $313 million fee projections and rulemaking authority
- Legislative games with the general fund—how “new” programs replace existing spending
- The erosion of public trust when truth is replaced with political theater
- The importance of government accountability and real transparency
As they prepare to begin scrutinizing state agencies line by line in future episodes, this one sets the tone: we cannot fix what we don’t fully understand—and taxpayers deserve answers.
📺 Full video and podcast: theoregondoge.com