FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, July 20, 2009                                              

Oregon Republican Party Chairman Bob Tiernan criticizes Governor for burning up 25% of signature gathering time

Portland, Ore. – Three weeks after the end of the 2009 Legislative Session, Governor Kulongoski finally signed the two controversial tax bills passed by the 2009 Legislature and sent to him for signature on June 30th.  The bills, HB 3405 the corporate tax increase and HB 2649 the personal income tax increase, are the targets of an initiative campaign to refer these bills to the voters in a January 2010 special election.

Oregon Republican Party Chairman Bob Tiernan said in a statement issued this afternoon, “While I am relieved that the Governor has finally signed the bills – the fact remains that Governor Kulongoski stalled for 21 days, nearly a quarter of the time available to gather signatures. By dragging his feet, he has denied the citizens of Oregon the full amount of time to participate in the signature gathering process.”

“The Democrats and their allies have made clear their efforts to dismantle Oregon’s initiative and referendum system. The Governor’s actions have been part of this campaign of denial, deceit and delay,” said Republican Chairman Bob Chairman Tiernan.

“Despite these politically motivated acts of deception and delay, Oregonians are motivated and unified against these job-killing tax increases. I am confident that these measures will be on the ballot in January and Oregonians will finally have the chance to kill these two massive tax increases,” Republican Chairman Bob Tiernan concluded.


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