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This winter you may have to rethink plans to go over the pass to Portland or head to Eastern Oregon. You may have to rethink plans for the holidays.

The Oregon Department of Transportation is cutting the amount of plowing and sanding it will do. Oregon’s highways are going to be less safe.

“Some highways previously plowed four times per day will be plowed once per day if at all,” ODOT says.

Yes, ODOT will prioritize key routes and known trouble spots. But overall plowing and sanding will be less frequent.

“We encourage area communities and travelers to prepare (for) the possibility of extended delays, closures, more chain restrictions, and varying degrees of traction as they navigate roads,” ODOT says.

It’s more than just plowing and sanding, ODOT is going to defer pothole maintenance and chip seals. It is going to begin only restriping faded edge lines on certain higher-trafficked state roads, such as U.S. Highway 97. ODOT is also going to cut roadside maintenance, including debris and graffiti removal.

ODOT says the changes are necessary because its maintenance budget relies on gas tax revenue and that revenue is in decline. It can’t run a deficit. In response, it is cutting these services. ODOT had requested an increase in its total budget from the Legislature for 2023-2025 to $6.7 billion. The Legislature’s approved budget was $6.1 billion.

“With smaller budgets for staff and materials needed to plow, sand, and deice, the potential for traffic jams and crashes increases. Incidents will take longer to clear,” ODOT says. “We strongly recommend travelers carry a fully stocked emergency kit, including a phone charger and weather-appropriate clothing, and refuel or recharge their tanks often.”

That is Oregon government saying we are cutting back on road safety. There’s no upside.

ODOT did warn legislators during this year’s legislative session that budget trimming like this may be coming. The department does have a working mileage tax program, though it is optional. Legislators could increase the gas tax. Another policy option would be indexing vehicle registration fees to inflation. The Legislature did not push any of those forward.

We asked Gov. Kotek’s office late Tuesday if she would be willing to comment. We were told it might be Thursday before they could get us a response.

So we will remind you of what Kotek talked about when she was running for governor: “I am tired of things not working.”

So are we.