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How can opponents of 67 (Phil Knight and the editors of the Oregonian) seriously suggest that Measure 67 shows Oregon's anti-business bias when in fact business pays such a tiny amount of Oregon's tax burden?  Business pays a lower % of state taxes in Oregon than in almost any other state in the whole country, and by far the lowest in the West.  Business pays about 5% of Oregon's tax burden, which is ridiculous. 

Business is forever saying that we need a better-educated work force, and that we need better roads.   Do they think schools and roads are free? 

Maybe Oregon's personal income tax wouldn't be so high if business were paying it's fair share. 

Opponents who suggest that Measure 67 will just pass the cost along to customers are wrong.  Tax increases (or any other cost increase) can be paid in three ways:  Passed on to customers, reduced profits to owners/shareholders, or reduced wages/benefits to employees.  To the 70%+ of Oregon businesses who pay the minimum tax, it's hard to imagine how 43 cents a day in state taxes is going to make a real difference in the business's profitability.  Most businesses spend more money on paper clips than the minimum tax that Phil Knight's gone so crazy about. 

posted 3 years, 5 months ago
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In the 1960s there were 7, maybe 8 pulp mills that discharged nearly-untreated wastewater into the Willamette. Until fairly recent years, most of the mills would have shutdowns at practically the same time, during which enormous amounts of highly organic process liquors were discharged into the river, no doubt leading to lengthy periods of a quite dead river. During this period, the state board that preceded the current DEQ hardly did anything.

Could D. Drake comment on what the current situation is with respect to pulp mills, their treatment/discharge practices, and whether DEQ is really pressing industrial dischargers to further limit the pollution they discharge.

posted 4 years, 10 months ago
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