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Oregon Libertarian Party helps defeat $725 million tax increase
libertarian party ^ | 1/31/03 | libertarian party

Posted on 01/31/2003 6:56:38 PM PST by freepatriot32

Oregon voters have rejected a temporary income tax surcharge -- handing a major victory to the state Libertarian Party, which led the fight against the proposed tax hike.

On January 28, in a statewide referendum, voters rejected Measure 28 by 55%-45%. Had it passed, the initiative would have raised taxes by $725 million over three years.

"We are very happy tonight," said Oregon LP Executive Director Richard Burke, as the magnitude of the anti-tax vote became clear. "We were very surprised by the margin."

Just eight days earlier, a statewide poll by Portland's KATU Television had said the vote was too close to call.

But on the evening of the vote, about 40 Libertarians at the state LP headquarters in Beaverton applauded and cheered as TV news reports showed Measure 28 decisively falling behind.

About 65% of the state's registered voters cast a ballot for or against Measure 28 -- one of the largest turnouts for a special election in state history, reported the Salem Statesman Journal.

Measure 28 would have increased the state's top personal tax rate from 9% to 9.5%, and the top corporate tax rate from 6.6% to 6.93% in 2002, 2003, and 2004. It would have cost the average Oregon taxpayer about $114 per year.

The state legislature had voted to put the measure on the ballot in September.

To fight Measure 28, the Oregon LP had launched a vigorous "Turn The Tide" campaign, visiting 27 cities and towns in 17 days to offer arguments against the tax hike.

A January 6 press conference in Salem to kick off the effort generated statewide media attention.

The Libertarians made a simple -- and apparently compelling – argument against the proposed tax increase.

"We've got a state government that is too big," said Tom Cox, the Oregon LP's 2002 gubernatorial candidate. "Voters [should] stand up and demand fiscal responsibility."

Joining the Oregon LP in the campaign against Measure 28 were the Taxpayer Association of Oregon and Citizens for a Sound Economy.

The Oregon Republican Party never took a formal stand on the measure.

A coalition of public-employee unions -- including the Oregon School Employees Association and the Oregon AFL-CIO -- campaigned for Measure 28, using radio ads, telephone calls, e-mails, fliers, and public meetings to build support for the tax hike.

A number of newspapers editorialized in favor of the tax increase, and some even reported that two people had committed suicide when they received notice that their state-funded psychiatric and health benefits might be cut.

Measure 28 was also endorsed by outgoing Governor John Kitzhaber, who said it was "just common sense."

In all, the pro-Measure 28 groups spent $490,000, while Libertarians and other anti-tax groups spent about $30,000.

When Measure 28's defeat became clear, state and local government employees threatened "drastic" cuts in services.

For example, the Multnomah County sheriff said he would release 114 prisoners because he couldn't afford to keep them locked up. Portland Public Schools said it would trim 24 days off its school year. The Oregon State Police said it would lay off 277 officers. The state court system said it would go to a four-day work week, and stop processing misdemeanor crimes like shoplifting. And the state legislature said it would eliminate medical benefits for 8,000 elderly and disabled people.

But Burke said such threats were designed to chastise voters for rejecting the tax increase.

"If they do this, it is only to punish the people for not voting for taxes," he said. "These people are using scare tactics to extort money. We don't think the cuts will happen the way [they've] been threatened."

During its "No on Measure 28" campaign, the state LP had said the state government could avert the so-called crisis by going on a "fiscal diet," and could cut the budget by reforming the state workers' pension system, laying off 2,000 middle-level bureaucrats, and eliminating the Oregon Liquor Control Commission.

The defeat of Measure 28 is "an opportunity for the legislature to finally make the budget decisions they should have made years ago," said Burke.

The Salem Statesman Journal had said if Measure 28 passed, it would have sent "political ripples across the nation" -- and possibly inspired politicians in other states to raise taxes, too.

The newspaper quoted initiative expert Dane Waters, who said, "I really think this will be a trendsetter. If the voters do adopt this in Oregon, I think that will embolden lawmakers in other states."

But now, with the defeat of Measure 28, the message has been sent that Oregon and other states "can reverse the course of government growth," said Burke.


TOPICS: Activism/Chapters; Business/Economy; Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Extended News; Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Oregon
KEYWORDS: defeat; five; helps; hundred; increase; libertarian; million; oregon; party; seven; tax; twenty
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The Oregon Republican Party never took a formal stand on the measure.

Why the hell not ?

1 posted on 01/31/2003 6:56:38 PM PST by freepatriot32
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To: freepatriot32
Because the Oregon Republican Party leadership is a bunch of Country Club RINO's.

The Hatrack and Packrat legacy is still very strong, especially on the wet side of the state.

2 posted on 01/31/2003 7:04:03 PM PST by Valpal1
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To: freepatriot32
Didn't want to be on the same side of an issue as those insane Libertarians, who take the Founding Fathers literally.
3 posted on 01/31/2003 7:05:59 PM PST by headsonpikes
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To: freepatriot32
The Libertarian Party taking credit for the result is a bit rich.
4 posted on 01/31/2003 7:06:09 PM PST by Torie
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To: freepatriot32
For the same reason the GOP says nothing about the current admin. spending money like a drunken sailor I guess.

OR

Maybe the Oregon RP was just taking its leeds from the Texas RP who seem to be in a race to see who can raise what tax/fee the most.
5 posted on 01/31/2003 7:06:35 PM PST by Karsus (TrueFacts=GOOD, GoodFacts=BAD))
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To: Torie
Why? The GOP would not state a position on the issue.

"The Oregon Republican Party never took a formal stand on the measure."
6 posted on 01/31/2003 7:07:49 PM PST by Karsus (TrueFacts=GOOD, GoodFacts=BAD))
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To: Karsus
I don't think most voters care what the Libertarian Party thinks. And voters don't need GOP leaders to instruct them when it comes to tax increases. They are perfectly capable to decide the merits on their own.
7 posted on 01/31/2003 7:09:13 PM PST by Torie
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To: Torie
Of course, the mighty dope smoker party is taking credit. Why, without their vast horde of stoners, the referendum might have only been defeated 46% to 54%.
8 posted on 01/31/2003 7:09:46 PM PST by LenS
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To: Torie
I don't think most voters care what the Libertarian Party thinks. And voters don't need GOP leaders to instruct them when it comes to tax increases. They are perfectly capable to decide the merits on their own.

Yeah, I think that the libertarian party is taking a little more credit here than it is due. Yes, they fought the tax increase. Yes, the party supporters and membership spoke out against the tax. But so did many other non-libertarian voters. So, yes, the party helped, but it wasn't the deciding force. Common sense was.

9 posted on 01/31/2003 7:17:04 PM PST by meyer
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To: LenS
Of course, the mighty dope smoker party is taking credit. Why, without their vast horde of stoners, the referendum might have only been defeated 46% to 54%.

Eight posts and someone already is pulling out the "dope card"?

10 posted on 01/31/2003 7:18:16 PM PST by meyer
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To: Valpal1
Politicians: they're all a bunch of limousine liberals, Cadillac conservatives and silk stocking socialists.
11 posted on 01/31/2003 7:19:45 PM PST by BrucefromMtVernon
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Had it passed, the initiative would have raised taxes by $725 million over three years.

If one is to believe the flame wars, I would presuppose that Libertarians took an alternative stand on the tax hike; pledged commitment to raising that amount of money by "adding a surcharge" on all pot sold *for one year*.    </sarcasm off >    FReegards!
12 posted on 01/31/2003 7:20:31 PM PST by GirlShortstop
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To: Torie
You forget that quite a few of the GOP 'leaders' are OK with tax increases. Just look at Texas and the mad race in the GOP to see who can sugget the most taxes/fees to raise/apply to new things. One can also look to DC to see that spending reductions are not important to the GOP any more.
13 posted on 01/31/2003 7:22:38 PM PST by Karsus (TrueFacts=GOOD, GoodFacts=BAD))
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To: freepatriot32
Does this mean another state in the union will have to learn to live within budget?
14 posted on 01/31/2003 7:24:48 PM PST by AD from SpringBay
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To: Torie
No kidding. What a joke.
15 posted on 01/31/2003 7:28:03 PM PST by Republican Wildcat
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To: AD from SpringBay
Why? The national goverment isn't even trying to live within a budget, why should the states?
16 posted on 01/31/2003 7:30:11 PM PST by Karsus (TrueFacts=GOOD, GoodFacts=BAD))
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To: freepatriot32
Oregon LP had launched a vigorous "Turn The Tide" campaign, visiting 27 cities and towns in 17 days to offer arguments against the tax hike.

Notice they don't mention any dollars spent. I didn't see a single add by them in paper, TV, etc. They are taking credit when it's not deserved.

17 posted on 01/31/2003 7:31:56 PM PST by aimhigh
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Temporary...bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha-haaaaaaaaa! Temporary...he-he-he-heeeeeeee. Riiiight...three years or less they'd be pushing for a continuation of the tax and demonize those "tax cuts for the rich" for trying to cut those "vital" programs.

45% fiscally irresponsible yahoos still with their collective heads up their asses.

$114 less for those vital services, in which they'd have to squawk to the government for more services. "Wa-wa-wa I need 'free' toddler care."

Cowards.

A.K.A., the usual suspects with their sob stories and scare tactics.

Gasp! Puke! Big whoop!

Give us more money or we'll release these prisoners. What a puke!

Yada yada yada.

18 posted on 01/31/2003 7:36:08 PM PST by CounterCounterCulture (I have already previewed or do not wish to preview this composition.)
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To: Torie
They put their money where their mouth is and helped pay for the ad campain and held "town meetings" to rebut the crap the papers and OPB and other media where spewing.

You couldn't get squat from the ORP (and I'm a precinct comittee rep in OR).

It was Repub leadership in the legislature that sent this turkey to the voters because they didn't have the cajones to fight against the dems over it.

This last election may stiffen their spines a little, (God, I hope, please!!!!)
19 posted on 01/31/2003 7:38:00 PM PST by Valpal1
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To: Karsus
The national goverment isn't even trying to live within a budget, why should the states?

Just wishful thinking, I guess.
20 posted on 01/31/2003 7:40:50 PM PST by AD from SpringBay
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