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I would just like to add that it's unfortunate this wasn't covered more when there were public hearings where people could way in on their priorities and needs and solutions.

I'm a social worker and don't like seeing the cuts happening. But it's like we are all fighting for the same piece of pie as the pie is shrinking. What good does that do anyone to say "don't cut this" or "don't cut this." All of Oregon's state funded programs are priorities. What we need to be asking ourselves is what are ways that we can rebuild the state's revenue because we do not have reliable revenue sources, one of the reasons Oregon is hit so hard in difficult financial times. 

Alternative revenue sources the legislators are proposing are a start and a good place to start. They are proposing increasing a corporate minimum taxes, which I think is reasonable. We all pay more than $10 a year in taxes and these corporations that are making millions if not more in profit only have to pay the state $10. They should have to pick up the bill more. Also people making over $250,000 a year should have to pick up the bill more as they don't experience the ups and downs like others and can help out a little more. I still think they should consider increasing the beer tax, that hasn't increased in OVER 20 years and the consumer would only see maybe a $1-$2 more in the price on the shelf and that's because of the way the microbreweries and distributers pile up the tax for consumers. This increase would not decrease sales for microbreweries. I and many others I know will still buy their beers. Oregonians still need to really considers alternative revenue sources and this is from a native Oregonian. I'm even in support of a small sales tax...shocking but you'd be surprised who has proposed this. People you would least expect are in support of this revenue idea. Please make the pie bigger and don't fight over the same size of the pie. Republicans - I think you've gotten us into enough trouble so please don't try to make your way sound better. You haven't listened to what's happening and you continue to ignore what's happening. You think everyone can do this on their own and it's not possible. We need eachother especially in these difficulty times. It's about our community as Oregonians, not the individual Oregonian.

Thank you

posted 4 years ago
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