EAST METRO ECONOMIC ALLIANCE BOARD VOTES TO OPPOSE MEASURES 66 and 67
Members of the East County Business Community weigh-in: Tax increases not good for the state long-term.
At their monthly board meeting on January 14, 2010 the East Metro Economic Alliance board voted to oppose measures 66 and 67. The board expressed a deep concern about how a roll back of the legislature’s increased tax revenues will affect the financial position of schools, public agencies and critical governmental services. However, the board also stated that continuing to raise taxes without a comprehensive over-hall of the State’s tax structure is short-sighted.
The board has been involved in this discussion since the beginning supporting a balanced tax increase, presented by the Oregon Business Association, that included raising the corporate minimum tax to a reasonable level and increases in both business and personal income tax rates which were temporary rather than permanent. While the board stated that a “no tax increase” stance was preferred to spur economic development they recognized the need to assist in bridging the temporary gap in state budgets and also saw a need to raise the corporate minimum.
The Board strongly encourages the state legislature to revisit the overall tax structure and evaluate how to better meet the needs of our State funding challenges. The Board fully supports the need to have a balanced, consistent and predictable funding structure for education, public safety and other state services. It does not feel the current tax increases being brought to a vote are conducive to increasing economic development activities in our region and state. Note: Elected officials and those working for public organizations abstained from the vote.
