BEND, OR -- Deschutes County Commissioner Tammy Baney is taking on a larger role on the state's transportation commission.  She will now serve as the chair, after Governor Kitzhaber fired the previous leader, reportedly because of political differnces over coal.

Baney tells KBND News she's looking forward to the new challenge, but emphasizes she's not giving up her day job as a commissioner.  "The work on the transportation commission compliments the work I'm doing as a local elected official.  Having served on the transportation commission for a handful of years shouldn't add to my work load.  It won't mean added meetings.  I am already in on the meetings.  I'll be leading from the room I'm in already."

Governor Kitzhaber is hoping the legislature will pass a five billion dollar transportation package in thr upcoming session.  It would fund a backlog in frastructure upgrades to protect us from earhtquakes and other products.