Our Opinion: More taxes aren’t always the answer
Sunday, March 1, 2009 1:41 AM PST
When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Except in Oregon.
Judging by the latest series of proposed bills trickling out of Salem, when the going gets tough, it’s time to tax.
And tax.
And then tax a little more.
Currently, there are at least four bills under consideration to raise more revenue through more taxes.
Everything from boosting taxes on top-tier wage earners to asking voters to give up their “kicker” tax refunds appear to be on the table to help the state make up a large revenue shortfall.
Even a sales tax is under consideration. That idea has continued to drift around the halls of the Legislature like a phantom or a show pony, and every few years someone else leads the nag back out onto the public stage for another go.
Another revenue-generating concept revolves around boosting taxes on hospitals. Also under consideration is a plan to boost title and license fees for cars.
As predicted by many GOP lawmakers last year, the Democratic-dominated Legislature is clearly out in front with tax-boost concepts.
There are, surely, other ideas under consideration, but the entire saga raises a number of questions that probably will not receive answers.
One query is why the state continues to live in a kind of revenue, “feast-famine” dimension. A pattern seems to exist where, for several years, money is plentiful and programs are created and funded. Then the economy goes bad, and, suddenly, voters are told they are going to have to foot the bill for revenue shortfalls.
What happened to financial planning?
Also troubling is the perception that, once the economy goes sour, the first alternative by lawmakers seems to be to tax. The reality is a bit different. Many lawmakers have advocated making program cuts and other revenue-shaving measures to help bridge the revenue gap, but the perception continues to be that lawmakers simply want to create more taxes to find money.
In areas of the state rich in resources with large populations based around affluent employment, higher taxes may seem reasonable.
But in other areas of the state — such as Eastern Oregon, a region that has been locked in a depression since the mid-1980s — higher taxes are simply yet another troubling item on a long list a government-sponsored challenges.
More taxes are nearly always a bad idea.
Attempting to paint the higher, and new, tax concept in a good light is probably to be expected from lawmakers.
But, in the end, it is sort of insulting to voters.
Tired Oregon Tax Payer wrote on Mar 10, 2009 5:23 PM:
Require, no DEMAND those receving the servies are "legally" in this country. Not legal, NO SEVICES. It's tough to say no, but these are tough times and tough meseaures have to be taken.
Another avenue would be to STOP rewarding welfare moms who continue to have children they cannot not afford. You come into the welfare system with two children, no matter how many more you have, you will only receive benefits for the original two, PERIOD. As it stands now, the more you have the more money and benefits you receive. Enough give-me, give-me, give-me.
Teachers and other school officials can "pony up" some of the costs for their medical/dental/vision insurance just like everyone else. Even a small amount, say $100.00 per month for one and $150.00 for a family up to four, with a small amount for each additional child, would go a long way in reducing the states budget shortfall.
Just a few thoughts and ideas. May not work but it would be worth looking into if legislators were really interested in doing something other than adding new taxes and/or raising existing taxes to outrageous amounts. " "