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January will bring more than just the short, cold days of winter this year. It will also force Oregonians to make decisions on how they will vote on Ballot Measures 66 and 67. Just after the new year, ballots will arrive in the mailboxes of registered voters, begging them to fill in a circle next to “yes” or “no.”
That means campaigns for and against the two measures will likely be sprinkled among holiday ads and specials during December. Final decisions must be made by Election Day, which will be Jan. 26.
Though it would be nicer to focus on holiday festivities, this is the time to start examining the arguments behind these measures.
The two measures are expected to raise $727 million to balance the 2009-11 state budget. Ninety percent of the funds would go toward education, health care and public safety. Since we're currently spending the 2009-11 budget, defeat of the measure would mean cuts to the general fund in a similar amount for the remainder of the biennium.
So what does each measure do? Measure 66 would raise an estimated $470 million by requiring those who make the most money to pay higher taxes. The Legislative Revenue Office says it would affect 2.5 percent of Oregon tax filers, or about 38,000 filers. Taxes would be raised for individuals making more than $125,000 or couples reporting more than $250,000 in income.
Measure 67 seeks to raise the minimum tax on corporations, which for 88 percent of businesses would mean an increase from the current minimum of $10 to $150 per year.
Those are the basics of the measures, but opponents to Measure 66 will point out that many small businesses — those with fewer than 250 employees — report their business profits on their personal income taxes. They fear that will drive small-business owners out of state.
Proponents of the measure, however, say 93 percent of small-business owners won't see a tax increase because they don't earn more than $250,000 per year.
Those opposed to Measure 67 are concerned about the corporations that would be charged much more than the new $150 minimum. If a corporation's sales are higher than its net income, the corporations must pay one-tenth of 1 percent of their Oregon sales. Opponents say that means companies that aren't profitable may still have to pay taxes, and they will pass that increase onto consumers.
Those in favor of the measure counter with the fact that 75 percent of the companies due to pay the profits tax are located out of state. They say it would be unlikely a company would raise its prices only for Oregonians.
The Yes on 66 & 67 campaign has created a county-by-county look at the number of people who would benefit from the tax increases versus those who would pay higher taxes. In Douglas County, those benefiting include: 15,181 children in Douglas County schools; 14,076 served by the Oregon Health Plan; and 6,932 people who received their first unemployment benefit checks in 2009. In contrast, an estimated 473 tax filers would see an increase in the tax they pay for 2009-11.
Because nearly 52 percent of state general fund dollars go to education, the Oregon Schools Board Association is expecting cuts to school districts if the measures don't pass. The association figures Douglas County school districts would face more than $7.86 million in cuts, with an estimated $3.17 million in the Roseburg School District alone in the current biennium.
Opponents say those figures amount to scare tactics and they're determined to find cuts in the ending fund balances of various state agencies.
That's how a few of the arguments for and against are stacking up. Wouldn't you agree that it's time to start thinking about which stance makes the most sense?
By the way, if you're not registered to vote, you have until Jan. 5 to register so you can weigh in on this important vote for Oregon's future.
That means campaigns for and against the two measures will likely be sprinkled among holiday ads and specials during December. Final decisions must be made by Election Day, which will be Jan. 26.
Though it would be nicer to focus on holiday festivities, this is the time to start examining the arguments behind these measures.
The two measures are expected to raise $727 million to balance the 2009-11 state budget. Ninety percent of the funds would go toward education, health care and public safety. Since we're currently spending the 2009-11 budget, defeat of the measure would mean cuts to the general fund in a similar amount for the remainder of the biennium.
So what does each measure do? Measure 66 would raise an estimated $470 million by requiring those who make the most money to pay higher taxes. The Legislative Revenue Office says it would affect 2.5 percent of Oregon tax filers, or about 38,000 filers. Taxes would be raised for individuals making more than $125,000 or couples reporting more than $250,000 in income.
Measure 67 seeks to raise the minimum tax on corporations, which for 88 percent of businesses would mean an increase from the current minimum of $10 to $150 per year.
Those are the basics of the measures, but opponents to Measure 66 will point out that many small businesses — those with fewer than 250 employees — report their business profits on their personal income taxes. They fear that will drive small-business owners out of state.
Proponents of the measure, however, say 93 percent of small-business owners won't see a tax increase because they don't earn more than $250,000 per year.
Those opposed to Measure 67 are concerned about the corporations that would be charged much more than the new $150 minimum. If a corporation's sales are higher than its net income, the corporations must pay one-tenth of 1 percent of their Oregon sales. Opponents say that means companies that aren't profitable may still have to pay taxes, and they will pass that increase onto consumers.
Those in favor of the measure counter with the fact that 75 percent of the companies due to pay the profits tax are located out of state. They say it would be unlikely a company would raise its prices only for Oregonians.
The Yes on 66 & 67 campaign has created a county-by-county look at the number of people who would benefit from the tax increases versus those who would pay higher taxes. In Douglas County, those benefiting include: 15,181 children in Douglas County schools; 14,076 served by the Oregon Health Plan; and 6,932 people who received their first unemployment benefit checks in 2009. In contrast, an estimated 473 tax filers would see an increase in the tax they pay for 2009-11.
Because nearly 52 percent of state general fund dollars go to education, the Oregon Schools Board Association is expecting cuts to school districts if the measures don't pass. The association figures Douglas County school districts would face more than $7.86 million in cuts, with an estimated $3.17 million in the Roseburg School District alone in the current biennium.
Opponents say those figures amount to scare tactics and they're determined to find cuts in the ending fund balances of various state agencies.
That's how a few of the arguments for and against are stacking up. Wouldn't you agree that it's time to start thinking about which stance makes the most sense?
By the way, if you're not registered to vote, you have until Jan. 5 to register so you can weigh in on this important vote for Oregon's future.
