It's interesting to note that the US's two largest economies - California and New York City - also have the highest tax rates. That's because they actually fund their infrastructure (from schools to roads), which makes business thrive.

I've gotta say, tho, that wishing companies will voluntarily give up millions in tax rebates seems a bit wishful thinking

"...It's interesting to note that the US's two largest economies - California and New York City - also have the highest tax rates. That's because they actually fund their infrastructure (from schools to roads), which makes business thrive."

Well stated Justin and so damn true! It seems that Oregon is the last Alamo for the McIntyre/Sizemore camps that prioritize no tax and takings (what about "givings", you greedy bastards!) and forget thet economy thrives on sound investments and protocols for communities. Business doesn't have to set the agenda--the market will go where the people are.

Take a look at New Hampshire (no taxes, shitty schools unless you are blinging, and some of the scariest talk radio I have ever heard; It was the scariest 3 hour ride this brown brother ever had in his life!)and Arizona (dry heat, sprawl and market incentive uber all makes for one of the biggest mistakes in 21st century modern america--with exception of Flagstaff and the big hole) and we have a Blade Runner apocalyptic recipe that scares the shit out of me! HELP! Pass some damn taxes PEEPS! Let's not make Oregon a Mad Max Thunderdome!

Chuck, I wonder whether progressives in Multnomah County really want to maintain the tax. This is going to be a very hard vote for me. yes, I'll probably hold my nose and vote "no" on the repeal, but actions of Linn and company over the past year have not left me particularly happy about the tax.

I have heard nothing from Multnomah County that assures me that this tax will go away in two years. In fact, the responses during the campaign for the statewide tax ("Yes perhaps we'll rebate part of the tax maybe) don't reassure me.

As the recent Oregonian story pointed out, the way this tax has been implemented provides fodder for the anti-tax advocates. I'm not happy that 20% or more of the taxpayers not paying. I experienced the same sticker shock that many did, with few large companies using withholding.

Look at the Multnomah County numbers on the most recent statewide tax measure, and I would not be so confident. My gut tells me that the tax is going to be repealed.

Not including mandatory withholding of this tax from wages was a major blunder by the Sisters of Hawthorne. They wanted to placate business, but this omission led to shock and rage on the part of the many individuals who wrote a check for taxes for the first time in their lives. You may not miss $30 a month too badly, but writing a check for $360 once a year really hurts.

I predict that the tax will survive this repeal vote, but its inevitable renewal for 2006 and beyond will be defeated if put up for a vote, either before hand or by referendum.

Me, I kind of like the tax, because it means that fiscally, Multnomah County has partially seceded from what overall is a very backward state in many ways.

Fingers are being wrongly pointed at the County Commissioners, and misinformation is running rampant.

Misinformation example: "the prof" writes "I have heard nothing from Multnomah County that assures me that this tax will go away in two years." By its very terms (http://www.co.multnomah.or.us/measure26-48/doc/Board_Resolution_Ordinance.pdf) it ends December 31, 2005. Sorry the prof, you flunk.

Folks are blaming the County Commissioners for the failure to have mandatory withholding and better compliance. That's misdirected. The Legislature (and that includes the Multnomah County delegation) should have passed the simple law that would have authorized and directed the state Department of Revenue to handle collections. It would have cost a small amount to do (updating computer systems/software, printing extra pages in the tax forms), but would have meant higher compliance.

Don't celebrate the unpatriotic tax cheats while ignoring the bottom line issue none of the critics to my post have challenged: schools need money.

Chuck,

I stand corrected; I assumed there was a provision for automatically extending the tax. There seems to be no such provision and it will expire after three years. That is good and should form the basis of the campaign to defeat the repeal.

Can I get my grade reconsidered? ;-)

I still question, though, your claim that all progressives "throughout Oregon" (not sure why they'd care) and "especially in Multnomah County" want to retain the tax.

That is just not what I am hearing in my neck of the woods, a highly, highly liberal college campus. I could be wrong, but I think this is going to be a pitched battle. The polling I've heard about has this neck and neck, if not a bit behind.

If every progressive in Multnomah County was in favor of retaining the tax, it wouldn't even be close.

<h2>Drop the tax.. I am all for school funding, but this tax really hurts funding in the long run. As someone else said writing a check when you never have before hurts. I am happy to pay, but for many this is a political awakening. Some people will be looking for voter registration cards this year for the first time, and don't assume that the Multnomah tax will be the only tax measure they vote on.</h2>