Since 1996, the legislature needs a
two-thirds majority to pass any tax measure.
The House will need at least all 36 Democrats to
vote in favor of the personal, corporate, hospital
provider and health insurance premium taxes.
Revenue measures must begin in the
House.
In anticipation of the intense
debate, House leaders cancelled their floor
session last Friday in order to caucus with their
members before the big votes. Meanwhile,
Republican leaders oppose the tax increases,
although reportedly, a couple members may support
the health care taxes.
Anti-tax
organizations are preparing to gather signatures
to refer the measures to the ballot. Other
Republican bloggers advocate allowing the tax
increases to take effect and using them as
campaign fodder in the 2010
elections.
The struggling economy and
the final resolution of the tax increase proposals
will keep Oregon in a difficult budget
situation. The Co-Chairs budget released
following the final revenue forecast before
adjournment cut $2 billion from the "Essential
Budget Level." The EBL is state budget speak
for continuing the current spending levels
inflated for additional state and federal mandates
and contractual increases.
This link
is from a Salem Statesman Journal article on the
tax votes.
Tax votes
will churn state's political waters |
StatesmanJournal.com | Statesman
Journal
