Event: Town Hall on Revenue Reform hosted by Representatives Ben Cannon and Jackie Dingfelder and Senator Avel Gordly, with guest Senator Ryan Deckert
Date & Time: Thursday March 29, 7-8:30pm
Location: Warner Pacific College, Kardatzke Hall (Street map) (Campus map)
Parking for Kardatzke Hall is off of SE 68th Ave., north of Division St. Kardatzke lies directly below the Schlatter Prayer Chapel.
Contact: Leon Lindstrom, (503) 349-6033, leon.lindstrom@state.or.us
On Thursday March 29, from 7 to 8:30 pm, guest Senator Ryan Deckert will join hosts Rep. Ben Cannon, Rep. Jackie Dingfelder, and Sen. Avel Gordly at a Town Hall on Revenue Reform.
The Oregon Legislature is considering changes to our funding mechanisms this year to address both revenue adequacy and stability, while ensuring fairness for the workers and workplaces that drive Oregon's economy.
One proposal up for discussion will be HB 2530, which would cut income and capital gains taxes in half, reduce property taxes on owner-occupied homes, provide earned income and renter relief credits and replace the lost revenue with a 5% sales tax on goods and services that excludes groceries, medicine, housing, education, gas, cigarettes, and alcohol.
Senator Ryan Deckert, Chair of the Senate Finance and Revenue Committee, will be our guest for the evening, and will facilitate a discussion on HB 2530, the recently passed Rainy Day Fund, and the personal and corporate kickers.
At this point, Rep. Cannon is listening to feedback from constituents regarding all revenue-reform packages, as well as testimony in committee, before he takes definite positions. However, principles that he follows in assessing any proposed revenue reform include:
It must not shift the tax burden away from the wealthy and toward the poor.
It must not result in cuts to state responsibilities such as education, health care, and public safety.
It must make Oregon's revenue system more stable and sustainable over time.
There are ways to improve our tax system that do not include a sales tax. For instance:
Larger education and enforcement budgets for the Department of Revenue. Increased auditing and stronger penalties will pay for themselves many times over by bringing more taxpayers in compliance with the law.
Capping tax giveaways. Out of every $1 of potential income tax revenue, the state gives away $0.45 in credits, deductions, and exemptions - sometimes without any corresponding public benefit. A 10% reduction in these tax breaks would generate as much as $1 billion in new revenue for schools and other vital services. Tax giveaways ought to be given the same level of scrutiny as other government expenditures.
Revenue reform is among the most important, and most delicate, of issues before the Legislature this session. The public's thoughts are essential for formulating good policy. The town hall on March 29 is a key piece of working through the details of legislation in the 2007 session and building energy for long-term improvements to the revenue system in Oregon.
We hope to see you there!
