Sunday, January 31, 2010
For the first time in more than 70 years, voters in Oregon approved a statewide tax increase, bucking arguments by conservatives that the country is trending their way since the special election in Massachusetts earlier this month. Oregonians approved two ballot measures, one raising taxes on corporations and another boosting taxes for the wealthy, all in an effort keep budget cuts from striking public schools and other state services.
Measure 66 lifts taxes on households with taxable income above $250,000, and Measure 67 sets higher minimum taxes on corporations and increases the tax rate on upper-level profits.
“I think a lot of folks thought we were in the middle of a tax revolt,” U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) told The Oregonian. “It is really a revolt against the unfair use of power.”
Washington state Governor Chris Gregoire praised the vote in neighboring Oregon, hoping it will help a tax increase proposal in her state. It remains to be seen whether lawmakers in other states will dare raise taxes in an election year.
-Noel Brinkerhoff
Oregon Voters Pass Tax Increasing Measures by Big Margin (by Harry Esteve, The Oregonian)
Oregon, Following Massachusetts, Makes Its Own Election Statement (by Jeff Mapes, The Oregonian)
Tax the Rich? Ore. Voters Scratching Their Ballots (by Tim Fought, Associated Press)
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