Copyright The Oregonian
H.R.1, recently passed by Congress, will cause deep cuts in state income tax revenue that will leave many Oregonians without the services they rely on, (“Tax cuts in Trump’s bill could cost Oregon nearly $1B in revenue over next 2 years, state analysis says,” Aug. 5). We should increase state taxes on those who benefit most from tax savings under H.R. 1. When Oregon faced the Great Recession in 2008, Oregon voters passed Measures 66 and 67. By adjusting these measures, as has been done in past sessions, we can increase Oregon revenue to provide for basic human needs across the state. Measure 66 proposed a tax rate of 10.8% (now 9.9%) on joint household income of $250,000 to $500,000 ($125,000 to $250,000 for individual filers) and phased out their federal tax deduction. In addition, it excluded $2,400 of unemployment income. Measure 67 increased the $10 corporate minimum tax to $150 on Oregon sales and on S corporations and partnership entities. For C corporations, it temporarily imposed a 7.9 % tax rate on net income over $250,000. These two referendum measures passed in 2009 by wide margins. A similar approach could be taken now. With the largest corporations experiencing huge profits and tax benefits from H.R.1, this seems a fair way to increase revenue for Oregon to cover the huge cuts to food stamps and the Oregon Health Plan. The loss of services will be very hard on working Oregonians, and those on fixed incomes. This could be one of several tools to lessen the shortfall caused by H.R. 1. Josie Koehne, Gaston
