Atkinson proposes shift in political tax credit
Paulie Brading
State Senator R-Jason Atkinson (probably running for Governor) filed Senate Bill 909 this week that would make the Oregon political tax credit portable, allowing Oregonians to redirect political donations from lawmaker's coffers to non-profit organizations during this economic downturn. The Central Point Republican is quoted in the Medford Mail Tribune, March 15, 2009 "The money would make a significant difference if it were spent to prop up the Oregon Food Bank or support for battered women and homeless people."
Atkinson distributed a guest editorial to newspapers around the state explaining his plan. "What's more important, a TV ad for a political campaign or putting a warm meal in a hungry belly?" Atkinson states "A bumper sticker or a night in a safe house? It's time for reform."
The bill has yet to be assigned to a committee. Rep. George Gilman R- Medford plans to oppose the legislation because Oregonians already receive tax breaks for giving to non-profits and food banks if they itemize their deductions.
Atkinson contends his bill would make it easier to help organizations in need by giving citizens a chance to choose where their money goes without losing a tax credit.
Sen. Alan Bates, D-Ashland is looking for a compromise if the bill does go anywhere, something along the lines a 3 to 4 year tax break that would expire for donating to food banks.
R-Gilman said the political tax credit for donating to politicians' campaign funds was instigated to encourage Oregonians to become more politically active.
Many thanks to Bob Albrecht, freelance writer covering the Legislature for the Medford Mail Tribune. His article is quoted liberally (no pun intended) in this post.
My best guess is the bill may not go anywhere. Your thoughts?
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Mar 16, '09
Interesting statement from Atkinson, considering that if he runs for Governor he's going to require a considerable warchest... and he has just supplied a quote that is going to be set against any large donation he receives.
But this gambit may work out in his favor if he's able to parlay it into an effective message against Allen Alley's big advantage: personal cash.
Should be an interesting race!
Mar 16, '09
Someone correct me if I am wrong, but isn't the Oregon deduction for political contributions $50?
If so, I don't see this as a substantive proposal. This will not motivate people to donate more since there are already ample charitable deductions available on the federal side.
Could the motivation be to lure donations away from the Dem party and Dem candidates in Oregon? I am scratching my head here since this doesn't seem to make sense.
10:05 p.m.
Mar 16, '09
Could the motivation be to lure donations away from the Dem party and Dem candidates in Oregon? I am scratching my head here since this doesn't seem to make sense.
Probably -- given the huge amounts of low-dollar fundraising for Obama and Merkley.
Of course, what Atkinson may not know is that Oregon Right to Life also relies heavily on the political tax credit.
Mar 16, '09
Is this who you are talking about for governor? My wife thinks he is a little strange! Who carries a gun in a bicycle tool bag?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-y4GNHUbRIo
Mar 16, '09
This is not a proposal to help nonprofits, but to kill the small bit of public financing we have.
1:46 a.m.
Mar 17, '09
Is this who you are talking about for governor?
Do not confuse discussion with support.
Mar 17, '09
Most charitable donations already qualify for a tax deduction, assuming that one makes enough to take more than the standard deduction. Political donations do not. If Atkinson wants to create a new charitable tax credit, that's OK, but I don't see his point in creating a hybrid political/charitable tax credit.
The OR Polt tax credit itself is overrated. I heard a few years ago that only about 5% of Oregonian taxpayers use it. Most of us who give would give anyway and usually give in excess of $50.
There are, of course, many chairites listed on OR tax form where filers with refunds can donate with a simple tax checkoff.
For maybe a decade, there was a tax checkoff for the OR Demcoratic and Republican parties. I've been told that the late Professor Jim Klonoski was largely responsible for that idea when he was DPO chair in the 70's.
Apparently, it generated a lot of $ for the parties. FOr whatever reason(s), a few folks had problems with it and it was sunseted. I heard that Mae Yih and others didn't like it beacaue the counties didn't get their cut.
I would like to see a bill in the legisalture to bring back a political party tax checkoff of say, $5.
6:44 a.m.
Mar 17, '09
Grant, the tax check off for political parties is a fantastic idea. I doubt it could pass in the current budget climate, however.
I disagree with you about the $50 tax credit. In my experience running for office, many of the people who donated would give $50 or $100 per couple explicitly because of that credit.
It doesn't amount to much in the Governor's race, however, because Oregon is one of only 3 states with no limits on political contributions. Serious candidates for Governor don't spend their time raising money in $50 increments, but in $100,000 and larger increments.
Mar 17, '09
In response to Mr. Brodhead, I just wanted to inform the readers of this page what occured during Senator Atkinson's gunshot accident. He was not "carrying a gun in a bicycle tool bag," implying he is some irresponsible, egotistical person. A friend of Senator Atkinson's, asked him to do some repair work on a bicycle that he owned. The gentleman dropped the bike off at Senator Atkinson's house, leaving his bag on the bike and not informing the Senator as to the weapon that was in the bag. When working on the bike, the bag dropped to the ground and fired upon hitting the ground. Undoubtedly, Senator Atkinson was as confused as you are about why there would be a gun in that bag, or why he neglected to remove it from the bag before dropping off the bike... Everyone on the same page now? Oh, and the link you provided to the YouTube video with Sen. Atkinson dressed as Jefferson, that was the day the Senate commemorated President's Day.
11:12 a.m.
Mar 17, '09
Mr. Brodhead,
Atkinson is best known for introducing Senate Bill 926 in March of 2007. The bill was to construct three velodromes costing $4 million for cyclists. The bill died and was opposed by the League of Women Voters of Oregon because money to maintain existing state parks was already budgeted for recreational biking facilities.
To become famliar with Sen. Atkinson review his votes on education,tax reform, increasing revenue for services for human services that sort of thing. His father once headed the Republican Party of Oregon and owned or still owns evangelical radio stations. During Atkinson's last campaign for governor his support came from members of churches who formed a coalition to support his candidacy.
4:23 p.m.
Mar 17, '09
Smart politics, whether it goes anywhere or not.