On January 28, voters will decide the fate of ballot measure 28, which would temporarily increase personal and corporate income taxes to address a projected budget shortfall.
The measure would increase personal and corporate income tax rates in an attempt to find $300 million in relief funds for strapped state schools and other priorities.
Patty Wentz, a member of the “Yes on 28” campaign, emphasized the importance of Measure 28 for the struggling school system.
“Without Measure 28, Oregon university students are going to see tuition increases,” she said.
Wentz calls Measure 28 a “very important first step” in fixing the budget, but does not view it as a fix-all to the state’s budget problems.
Oregon Libertarian Party Executive Director Richard Burke, who opposes measure 28, says that the budget problems can be fixed through a restructuring process, not through a tax increase.
“If you’re trying to improve economic activity, you don’t raise taxes during a recession,” Burke said.
Burke said the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) needs to be restructured.
Don McIntire, author of Measure 5 the property tax limitation measure of the early 1990s, opposes measure 28 as well.
McIntire sees many opportunities in the state budget to trim expenses, thereby eliminating the need for more taxes.
“The Oregon Health Plan is out of control,” McIntire said.
In addition, McIntire cited the Oregon State Economic Development Commission (OLCC) as a problem program, in McIntire’s view, failing to develop the now faltering Oregon economy.
Both Burke and McIntire pointed to the Oregon Liquor Control Commission as an unneeded program that, if done away with, would free funding that could be turned over to schools and public safety programs.
“What is the state doing in the booze business?” asked McIntire. “Why do we need them to warehouse and move booze around? The private sector (businesses) can do that very well.”
Jesse Cornett of the College Democrats, agrees that the OLCC should be re-evaluated, along with PERS, but sees measure 28 as a temporary fix to address pressing budgetary issues.
Cornett also feels that the size of the tax increase isn’t unreasonable, though he generally opposes tax increases.
“If you actually do the math breakdown, most Oregonians will pay less than the tax decrease that President Bush pushed for when he was elected,” said Cornett.
Student body president Kristin Wallace is concerned about future PSU cuts.
“We have reduced our budget by $9.2 million, we’re looking at another $5.6 million cut,” Wallace said.
Wallace said she is working hard to get students to vote. Because this is a special election, she feels it is even more critical for students to vote.
“Everybody around the state is waiting to see what will happen with this measure,” she said. “Everybody’s kind of hanging on to the edge of their seat.”