Oregonians have voted down a sales tax six times, but it has not deterred the Democrat leadership. Over the years this leadership has successfully disguised sales taxes to hit almost every aspect of our lives.

From energy to phones to grocery bags, and they keep looking. The biggest impact has been the passing of the Corporate Activities Tax (CAT) that initially hit most supply chains, but is hidden from customers.

Representative Brad Witt (D), isn’t so deceitful in introducing HB 4079, which will create Oregon's first ever identifiable sales tax. The purpose of the sales tax is to fund $750 monthly debit cards to the homeless and people under the poverty level. This tax will not go to making our communities safer, our elections more secure or improving our education system. It also comes at a time when the state has record revenues.

Proponents of HB 4079 say the tax is a “luxury” sales tax because at first it only applies to particular products over a certain price. But once passed into law, which requires a 60% vote in both Houses, it only requires a 50% vote to lower the price caps and add more goods and services. It creates a “bait and switch,” which is a scam on Oregonians.

The Oregon Freedom Pilot Program, offering monthly $750 debit cards, isn’t really a pilot once the program is implemented. The $750 debit cards go to homeless and below poverty people, attracting people from out of state, just like other welfare benefits have done. The Atlantic Magazine called Oregon a “Welfare Utopia”. We are famous nationwide for our welfare benefits. This is overwhelming our social services, charities, and local governments and is forcing government to raise taxes even higher. HB 4079 will not reduce or help pay for these welfare benefits, and has no limitation on what it can be spent on.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

Oregon State Government is already the 4th fattest and 4th biggest state spending state government in America as measured by per- person spending. Why now when the state has record revenues of billions in surplus stashed into a slush fund last year that could be used? The House Committee Members on Human Services need to hear YOUR VOICE on whether a sales tax is a good idea for Oregon. A public hearing on HB 4079 is scheduled for this Tuesday (Feb. 8th) starting at 1:00pm. You can sign up to testify remotely. Most likely each person will get 2-3 minutes to testify. Or, submit written testimony using OLIS.


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2022-02-07 15:04:40

Last Update: 2022-02-07 15:14:01