Dear NFIB/Oregon members,
Last month, as Oregonians were preparing to file their 2017 income tax returns, Oregon’s governor signed a bill into law that is estimated to generate well over $1 billion in revenue for the state over the next several years by “disconnecting” our state income tax code from the new 20 percent federal deduction for pass-through business income.
The bill, SB 1528, passed on the slimmest of margins with bi-partisan opposition in both the House and the Senate. Oregonians thought they had put an end to this when they passed Ballot Measure 25 in 1996 – requiring all bills for “raising revenue” to pass each chamber of the Legislature with by a three-fifths supermajority vote. SB 1528 passed with only simple majorities.
The bar should be higher for the legislature to approve taking more from the earnings of Oregon’s small businesses. Tax increases should always be the last option—never the first.
Fortunately, we have a solution. Initiative Petition 31 will clearly define “raising revenue” as any tax or fee increase, whether accomplished by the creation, imposition or increase of any tax or fee, or by the modification, elimination or change in eligibility for any exemption, credit, deduction or lower rate of taxation!
NFIB is asking all members to visit www.endeasytaxhikes.com/nfib right now to add your name to a citizens’ initiative petition to prevent the legislature from using gimmicks and loopholes to raise taxes easily.
At www.endeasytaxhikes.com/nfib, you can download and sign a petition—it will only take you three minutes. The website includes easy instructions to help you get signatures from your family members and colleagues.
Is it worth three minutes of your time and one postage stamp to protect your business from every future controversial tax increase? YES! With your help, NFIB members and thousands of other Oregonians will place Initiative Petition 31 on the ballot this November to end easy tax hikes!
Best regards,
Anthony K. Smith
Oregon State Director
