FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday July 1, 2009

WHERE ARE THE TAX BILLS?
Democrats try to play politics with Oregpn's referendum system

PORTLAND, Ore. –  The Oregon Legislative Assembly adjourned Sine Die Monday evening at 9:45 PM, but two major tax increases, which have defined the Democratic-controlled session, are still waiting to be signed by the Governor.  They have been on the Governor’s desk since June 26th burning up valuable time in an effort to disadvantage citizen efforts to refer the taxes to the voters in a special election.
 
Oregon Republican Chairman Bob Tiernan said today, “Unfortunately this is not the first time that the Democrats have attempted to manipulate the referendum process. Last week they attempted to deceive voters by turning a NO vote into a YES vote on the unpopular tax increases. Now they want to play politics with Oregon’s referendum system and diminish the voice of Oregon voters by limiting the opportunity they have to circulate petitions and gain the 55,179 signatures necessary to refer the bills to the ballot.”

HB3405 is predicted to generate $261 million by increasing taxes on Oregon businesses and HB2649 increases Oregon income taxes to the highest in the country and is estimated to generate $472 million in new taxes.  Combined with other tax increases passed, including a gas tax increase and a new hospital tax, the Democrats have levied more than $2 billion in new taxes and fees on Oregon families and small businesses during one of the worst economic declines in history.

“I urge the Governor to quickly sign these bills and give the people of Oregon the full 90 days to excise their constitutional right of collecting signatures to refer these massive tax increases to the ballot.  To manipulate the system and delay this process would rob the people of Oregon their opportunity to participate in the political process and be yet another example of the Democrats’ disregard for the will of the people of Oregon,” Chairman Tiernan concluded.

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