Oregon Libertarian Party helps defeat $725 million tax increase

libertarian party ^ | 1/31/03 | libertarian party

[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.

[Valpal1]

"45% fiscally irresponsible yahoos" is actually the " coalition of public-employee unions".

If I could count all the times I was told that if we don't pass this measure all the jobs in our county will dry up because the state is our largest employer I'd be richer than Bill Gates.

How they can never get a clue that if everyone is sucking the gov't teat, then no one is actually producing taxable wealth is beyond me.

Oh, I remember, we'll pass a sales tax too and the tourists to pay all the taxes.

I was so relieved this failed, I was convinced by the media it was passing.

[CounterCounterCulture]

The old hotel tax trick. Go ahead cities, pass those hotel taxes, for they only affect all those foreigners (out-of-towners). Then when I want to travel, I hit all those hotel taxes other cities passed even though I only passed that "benign" hotel tax in my city. Sucker!

[hove]

"I don't think most voters care what the Libertarian Party thinks."

You might be correct. However, The Libertarians were on the front lines of this battle in Oregon. The Republicans (Mostly RINOs)had their chance to lead the way...but as usual...they didn't. If the Libertarians gain notoriety for their work...then more power to them! Maybe most voters haven't cared what the L.P. thinks up til now....but I damned sure bet voters are starting to take notice after this great victory in Oregon.

And so where were the Republicans....hhhmmmmm??

[Mudboy Slim]

"Heck...Let's ROLLLLLL!!"
(To be sung to Led Zeppelin's "Rock and Roll")

It's been a long time since Right rock an' rolled.
It's been a long time since Right won the War!!
Ooh, help US get it back, help US get it back, help US get it back,
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm-Patriots, Let's Whup Left's SCUM!!

It's been a long time, gotta show some spine, been too long...
Lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely time!! Yes it has...

It's been a long time since Right whupped Left's SCUM!!
Right must reverse the Fears of Left's Blight, FEAR ain't LOVE!!
FReepers, Let's Act!! FReepers Must Act!! FReepers ATTACK!!
Mmmmmmm-Nation, it needs Right's help!!
Whoah~ooh~oh ~whoah~ooh~ooh~hohh.

It's been a long time, been a long time, been a long
Lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely time.

Ahhh-ahh~ahh ahh~ahh.

Hohhh, it seems so long since Truth beamed in the moonlight,
RAT Med'yuh Cowers 'Cuz Left KNOWS RATS Ain't Right!!
Hahh-yeah! Holster your arms, holster your arms, holster your arms,
Mmmmmm-Nation, let yer VOTE help landslidin'. Vote RIGHT!!
It's been a long time, been a long time, been a long
Lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely time.

Yeah~hey.
Yeah~ay~ay.
Yeah hey.
Yeah hey.

Ooh-yeah, ooh~ooh-yeah.
Ooh-yeah, ooh~ooh-yeah. It's been a long time, been a long time, been a long
Lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely time.

FReegards...MUD

1 posted on 10/16/2002 11:50 PM EDT by Mudboy Slim

William Jefferson Blythe Clinton is Mudboy Slim's BEEEEE-aaahhhhhhtch...MUD

[MarkM]

The fact that the Republican party didn't take a stand probably helped defeat the tax increase. A lot of Dems will vote against anything the GOP is for. And you know Republicans voters are going to vote against a tax increase regardless of what some state party committee does.

Oregon already has high income taxes. Its just common sense you wouldn't want to increase them in a weak economy(or any other time really).

[Crusader21stCentury]

The states can't print money, only the feds can.

[hove]

"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%.

Is that the best you can do? Very weak. I guess it must hurt when your most hated Libertarians actually do something conservative. Unlike the Republicans (RINOS) who talk a good story...but come up lame. Those "dope smokers" just led the fight to slow the cancerous tumor that is government. That sounds like true conservatism in action! You better get used to it....and start sharing the love.

[Trailerpark Badass]

So, yes, the party helped, but it wasn't the deciding force. Common sense was.

The headline says "helps."

[A CA Guy]

ARGUMENT IN OPPOSITION (Measure 28)
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot help the wage-earner by pulling down the wage-payer.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by encouraging class hatred.
You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than you earn.
You cannot build character and courage by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.

"Every expansion or increase in the size or purpose of government places an additional strain on the limited resources of its citizens. Excessive taxation adversely affects the State's economy, the cost of doing business, the ability to create jobs, and increases the cost to consumers...We support the reduction of all taxes to a level needed only to maintain minimum government that can protect life, liberty, and property."
Oregon Republican Party Platform, amended July 2002

(This information furnished by Perry Atkinson, Chairman, Oregon Republican Party.)
http://www.sos.state.or.us/elections/jan282003/guide/m28opp.htm
As of Jan. 14, 2003, there were 4,440 registered Republicans in Crook County, along with 3,601 Democrats, 1,872 non-affiliated voters, 260 voters belonging to independent or "other" parties, 88 Libertarians (lol), 10 Pacific Green Party members, and seven voters belonging to the Constitutional Party.

[A CA Guy]

Amen!

[recalcitrant]

actually I live here,
I am a republican.

I am active...

and my party is not.

the candidate for governor here kevin mannix did not admit he was against any increase till just before the election when lars larson and the libertarians (strange bedfellows) put kevin's feet in the fire...

HAD kevin come out jumping and screaming NO NEW TAXES... he would have won the libertarian vote... as it was, he was too stealthy with the teacher's unions. He is a lawyer.

I gotta hand it to the libertarians for their superb efforts here... they were the primary stirrers of the hornets nest that is "tax increase" here in WESTERN oregon.

Credit where credit is due.
Had we elected mannix as governor... I think Mannix would have pushed the tax increase... and though he came out as personally opposed when lars larson pushed him... he would not rule out some kind of tax increase from the get go...

that is the real reason I think Kevin lost... not anti tax anti big gov enough... we already spend more than almost any state per student for education... and he would not rule out increases in the education budget to MY satisfaction.

there are such things as tax and spend statists, who run as republican.

the tax increase failing... was truly righteous.
thank you libertarians and over taxed democrats who voted against big spending increases and taxes....

[recalcitrant]

Damned straight.

We need new leadership here in Oregon for the Republican party. Anti spend, anti tax, anti intrusive and big gov CONSERVATIVES.

Where was mannix on this all month last month?
I have no damned idea.

[Voice in your head]

"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%."

Do you have a URL for this?

[theiamons]

Yes we voted down the tax increase as a message that the state gov. needs to learn how to spend their, er OUR money.. Well let me tell you all, they have punished us by letting about 200 prisoners loose, firing cops and shortening the school year.. BUT We all got new toilets! YES the state paid for all apartments to get new Enviromentally safe toilets! Chalk it up to hippie priorities!

[theiamons]

I met Kevin Manix at Hannity's book signing... He could have won if he was able to get as dirty as the dems, but he wasnt... 16 years we have had dem govs... And people wondered why we are struggling... Manix was our last hope to stand up and let his voice be heard.. But he didnt.. Where do we go from here?

[applemac_g4]

So - what are some other Libertarian platform positions (ex. trade with China?)

[For the Unborn]

You think that Oregon Repubs are bad? Just look at some of the Utah pubbies. The Utah legislature just voted themselves a 20% pay raise and guarantee that there will be a tax increase for the rest of us. While Utah pubbies have their backs turned, conservative voters here will turn on them soon.

[theiamons]

Oregon Reps. are like indies... Hell when our only Rep. senator ran again he claimed himself as an indie and opposed Bushed.. he won by a landslide....