SOU M66 and M67 Panel Discussion
Cascadian, 12.01.2010 06:16
Saturday, January 9th League of Women Voters and Associated Students of SOU (ASSOU) co-sponsored a panel discussion about our upcoming election on Measure 66 and 67. It took place at the Southern Oregon University Stevenson Union. Senator Alan Bates and Representative Peter Buckley presented the “Yes” position and answered questions from the audience.
I am not going to go into much about what Measure 66 and 67 are about because most of you have already received the voter’s pamphlet, come across news articles and read the editorials about the measures. I have included some links of past Rogue IMC coverage as well as places to go for more information.
http://www.rogueimc.org/en/2009/12/15671.shtml
http://www.rogueimc.org/en/2009/12/15701.shtml
http://www.lwvor.org/SpecialElection2010.htm
In an effort to address the Oregon budget gap the Oregon Legislature last year passed a few bills which will help provide some relief for the budget crunch that is happening. However, there are some large corporations and special interests who do business in our state that felt that it was unfair that they would have to start paying some of their “fair share” in taxes so they collected enough signatures and put Measures 66 and 67 on the ballot. Personally I think it is about time the corporations start paying some of their fair share. The workers of Oregon are currently paying more so that corporations can pay less. In what world does this make sense?!
The taxes will not get rid of our budget crisis, but it will help to lessen the budget cuts that will have to be made. It will help to keep human services and education intact. The state last year received federal stimulus money to assist, but that money has been used to balance the budget and will not be available again.
According to Senator Bates:
"Under Measure 66, 97.5% of taxpayers will NOT see an increase in their taxes. People who make under $250,000 for households or $125,000 for single filers will see no change in their tax rates. For those who make above these amounts, the new tax rate is an increase of 1.8 % (from 9% to 10.8%) on the additional income only. The middle class tax rates will not change.
In real dollars, this amounts to only an additional $450 in taxes for every $25,000 of income over the limits. For example, a household with $275,000 income will pay only $450/year more than they currently do.
270,000 Oregonians will receive a tax reduction. Under measure 66, the first $2400 of unemployment benefits are exempt from taxation.
Under Measure 67, 95% of businesses will pay between $0 and $150 in income tax. Partnerships, LLCs, LLPs, and S-Corporations will pay $150 and sole proprietorships will pay $0.
Under measure 67, the corporate minimum, which has not changed from since 1931, increases from $10 to $150. This is the fifth lowest corporate tax rate in the country."
If this bill passes only "3 to 5% will have to pay higher taxes". The state of Oregon is currently offering corporations a pretty sweet deal to do business here in regard to what taxes they have to pay. There are 45 other states where taxes are much higher for businesses. If these bills pass the corporations and special interests will still be getting a good deal compared to most of the country.
I personally walked away from this panel discussion realizing that this election is an attack on the working class. The middle and lower classes are already paying more then our “fair share” and if the “No” vote wins in this election we will be paying even more. That cost will not only be seen in our paychecks, but in our schools, health programs, etc. Working class Oregonians will suffer even more then they already are if this election goes to the “No” side.
The only real decent argument I have heard for the “No” side is that we need to fix our tax structure here in Oregon. Yes, our tax system is really messed up and needs to be overhauled but this election is not the place to be taking on this fight. That fight should happen, but when it does it needs to come from the lower and middle class and not from special interests and corporations who are more interested in pleasing their shareholders rather then the needs of Oregonians.
If you plan on voting, please remember to vote.
