Yes in Oregon

[gypski]

I have to admit, I agree. If I was making 150k a year, I could afford to pay 50K in taxes no sweat, and more on more money. But I'm not greedy, and you can bet there are loop holes like cuts for those that hire workers. :thumbsup:

Oregon says yes to taxing wealthy, businesses

PORTLAND, Ore. â?? Oregon has set aside its history of shooting down tax increases on statewide ballots, with voters endorsing higher taxes on businesses and the rich amid a brutal economic slump.

Democrats in the Oregon Legislature made it as easy as they could for the voters to raise taxes on somebody else, and the electorate responded Tuesday by approving Measures 66 and 67.

The increases approved Tuesday will hit people with taxable income upward of $125,000 â?? estimated at fewer than 3 percent of filers. Many businesses who had been paying an annual $10 minimum will see that rise to at least $150.

With 91 percent of the vote counted, the vote was 54-46 on Measure 66 and 53-47 on Measure 67.

Oregon voters have consistently rebuffed legislative attempts to take more in tax revenue â?? such as a cigarette tax to pay for health insurance for children three years ago, two previous income tax measures that would have hit most Oregonians and nine sales tax measures over the decades.

A Democratic legislative leader, Senate President Peter Courtney, said he was, just in case, preparing a statement acknowledging defeat just before the results were reported Tuesday.

"This is a tax vote?" he exclaimed later when the victory was evident. "This is indescribable ... It's Oregon being Oregon."

The vote affirms the two-year budget the Legislature controlled by Democrats adopted last year, and spares it $727 million worth of budget cutting during a four-week session that begins Monday.

Courtney's counterpart in the House, Speaker Dave Hunt, says the session will focus on legislation to spur job creation and to help people hurt by the slump that has boosted the unemployment rate to 11 percent and driven record numbers of people to seek aid such as food stamps.

Oregon's Sherwood Forest, take-from-the-rich strategy might appeal to legislators in other states struggling to bandage their budgets, said Portland pollster Tim Hibbitts.

"If you're going to take this to a red state, it's going to be a lot more difficult," he said. "Other blue states that are feeling the pressure may say, 'Maybe we could craft a similar measure and win with that.'"

Business leaders and Republicans were glum. Hibbitts' polls suggested a closer vote, and for much of the voting period, liberal Multnomah County was slow to mail in and drop off ballots, raising the hopes of the tax opponents.

It was a victory for public employee unions who were the spearhead of the campaign for the taxes and raised enough money to outspend the opponents.

A Common Cause analysis put their fundraising advantage to date at $6.85 million to $4.55 million in one of the state's most expensive campaigns.

"The bottom line is the unions bought the election," said State Republican Chairman Bob Tiernan. "It's going to be a sadder day as more businesses leave the state and more don't want to come here."

gypski Reviewed by gypski on 01-27-2010. Yes in Oregon I have to admit, I agree. If I was making 150k a year, I could afford to pay 50K in taxes no sweat, and more on more money. But I'm not greedy, and you can bet there are loop holes like cuts for those that hire workers. :thumbsup: Oregon says yes to taxing wealthy, businesses PORTLAND, Ore. â?? Oregon has set aside its history of shooting down tax increases on statewide ballots, with voters endorsing higher taxes on businesses and the rich amid a brutal economic slump. Democrats in Rating: 5

[killerweed420]

Nothing wrong with taxing those that can afford it. I would rather see a litmus test as to whether its a good company or not. If they support there employees with living wages and healthcare and decent working conditions, cut them slack. If its a company that just pays shitty wages and no benefits tax the shit out of them

[Mmmgold]

It is a brighter day because you admit what has been happening over the decades. It has been nothing but name calling for even thinking that people are making an unequal share; those of us who have done everything right, had our 'AMERICAN' dream have been put down until even I have wondered if I lost my way.
I thank you for the glimmer of hope I see
I wish for your message to make it across the whole Country!
AND THEN THE WORLD

:thumbsup:

[Islandborn]

Making 125 K a year is rich?? LOL.....news to me. Thankfully Oregon borders two much more appealing tax less states.

HOWEVER a simple education shows the thinking person that since STATE taxes are deductible from federal taxes, soooooooo this doesnt exactly raise any tax revenue.....soooooo duh....its will be tranfered from the FED.

Also......trying to close the gap with ONLY taxes on high income makes state revenues VERY dependent on a TINY group of people.....perhaps you welfare babies should ask CALIFORNIA & NEW YORK how thats going in their state LMAO.

Obama is finished and the socialists will be forced outta the democrat party in the next 8 years, if they had any of their own money they woulda moved by now like they always whine when they lose....their just waiting for someone to do it for them.