#measure5

Grandma’s 1991 letter to Dick Singer re Measure 5.  Text:

Dear Sen. Singer:

There must be lots of voters who are shocked to learn that Measure 5--which they supported because of concern for homeowners living on low fixed incomes--was primarily benefiting owners of business properties.  And now those businesses and corporations have the nerve to go after an additional bonanza through a bill craftily called “a taxpayers’ bill of rights.”

There does need to be legislation to bring new revenues.  Otherwise Oregonians in need--the homeless, hungry, mentally ill- are going to be cast aside.  But business should be a source of such revenue, not a recipient.  Ever since 1970 the Corporation Income Tax has been going down in proportion to total tax receipts.  This should be corrected; and a commercial property tax or a gross receipts tax on businesses should be given heavy consideration.

Some of us would even welcome a restructuring of the personal income tax. BUT PLEASE don’t let the Ways and Means Committee push another gambling measure.  When Gov. Goldschmidt embraced state-sponsored lottery measures for revenue-raising purposes, many of us felt utterly disillusioned with a formerly highly credible public figure.

Sincerely,