Oregon voters stepped up and passed both tax proposals easily in the special election held January 26th. The Oregonian reports the measures passed by wide margins, especially in the metro areas.
"Tonight, I want to thank Oregonians for voting to protect critical public services during this difficult economic period," Gov. Ted Kulongoski said in a statement. "Even with this result, we still have some challenges before us. It is going to be a slow growth recovery from this recession for Oregon and the entire nation."
House Speaker Dave Hunt said he and other supporters "have been hopeful from the beginning that Oregonians would be committed to strong schools, access to services and a healthy business climate."
Of course, the Republican response was less supportive. Bob Tiernan, chairman of the Oregon Republican Party issued this statement:
"The success of a nationally-bankrolled campaign does not accurately reflect the views of all Oregonians. Voters across the state want their legislators to tighten their belts along with the rest of us. Oregonians expect their representatives in Salem to work together to find a solution that addresses the challenges of today's economy without crippling tomorrow's."
Voters in 11 of Oregon's 36 counties passed, but the counties turning them down were the less populated. What that shows is a continuation of the trend wherein conservatives often vote against their own self interests, listening to party leaders and corporate concerns more.
The less populated counties aren't where the big corporations are that have been getting away with a 10 dollar corporate minimum tax in place since 1931. Nor or they home to the high income earners who will see marginal increases in their income tax.
They are, however, the places with the highest unemployment. Included in the tax increases is a tax break for the unemployed, exempting a portion of unemployment money received from taxation.
The passage of Measure 67 raises the corporate minimum tax from $10 to $150 per year. The measure also increases the tax rate on profits for C-corporations and introduces a tax on gross sales for some C-corporations.
Under Measure 66, a projected 38,000 Oregon households will be affected by the increase in personal income taxes, while about 270,000 Oregonians who receive unemployment in 2009 will receive a tax break on their first $2,400 in unemployment benefits. Another 1.5 million Oregon households will see no change in their personal income taxes.
There are nearly 34,000 C-corporations in the state. Fewer than 10,000 of those will pay more than the $150 corporate minimum tax in 2009, according to the state Legislative Revenue Office.
VoteYESforOregon, a coalition of community organizations, including unions, small business owners, advocates for children and seniors, churches, environmental organizations, and civil rights groups advocating for the Measures put out a statement crediting Oregon voters.
“This was a victory for working people, responsible businesses and community organizations who wanted to protect our schools and vital services, and for all those who put our common future above narrow self-interest, “ said Kevin Looper, director of the Yes for Oregon campaign.
Comments
Good plan - Give the government who doesn't know how to handle money MORE of it while chasing away businesses and others who have the power to provide jobs. Nice work.
Leave it to the propaganda of the idiotic liberals with a predominantly stupid electorate when they are grouped together - "especially in the metro areas". The masses are asses -- looks like Hitler go that one right.
portland people are stupid, good job i hope everything come back to you guys.
Gov. Ted Kulongoski and Bill Bradbury your a douche bag. your mom should have beaten you guys more. peice of crap. you guys dont have to worry about money because you take it from people but real people have to work. keep giving out food stamp to retards and lazy people. just for you im going to quit my job and apply for food stamp. and free health care. keep saying thing that people want to hear and gettin votes.
Lets tax our way into a better economy! Ask California how that worked for them. Good job Oregon kick out the wealthy and the businesses. Welcome to Oregon the largest National Park.
The passage of 66/67 means the progressives in the Portland metro area once again say to everyone, too bad, we have ours, screw you and screw your job. The one benefit in all of this is that I think traffic in the Portland metro area will be lighter, because there will be fewer people trying to get to work. I have to work in downtown because my job is there and I have noticed a dramatic reduction in traffic because of all of the layoffs. More to come.
Hey we here in Oregon wanna spread that wealth around just because you didn't earn it don't mean you shouldn't have it. entitle the lazy and our beloved politicians..Welcome to Oregon
Hurray! We become more like California everyday! Insolvency and declining public education: that's our thing! Driving businesses out of state and aggravating unemployment! We love it! Destroying productive business and running investors out of town on a rail: it's good economics! Trust government to be our babysitter? It's American!
(Hey dude, how cool is that? The pot outlet is three doors down from where I get my Social Security check, only a block from where I get my Food Stamps, and only two blocks from Unemployment and Welfare and Medicaid. Plus, my bus ticket is like subsidized man and the route runs right to my Section 8 housing! Now I can afford that big screen TV! It's all awesome dude!)
Hey we here in Oregon wanna spread that wealth around just because you didn't earn it don't mean you shouldn't have it. entitle the lazy and our beloved politicians..Welcome to Oregon
People are so stupid!
Bunch of idiots here. This tax measure will not cost jobs, will not affect rural peoples, will not drive away companies. You've fallen for the lies opposing taxes on the rich and powerful, unknowing of the fact that the more rich and powerful they become, the more poor and weak We the People become. I suppose you also think the recent SCOTUS ruling, allowing corporations unlimited say in our political process, is just fine too. Get educated, and try to understand who the right-wing is protecting (hint: the wealthiest 1% of the people and corporations, where you and I don't get to play).
Move to Texas...better for business here....
Thankfully, voters in Oregon did realize that far from "taking from the rich" they were voting to tax the parts of society most benefiting from conservative tax proposals - the wealthy and corporations have been on the receiving end of the largest redistribution of wealth the world has ever seen- and misguided conservatives seem to think that's a good idea..
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