Voters Reject Measure 28, Legislators Hope To Delay Cuts

The Salem Statesman Journal (1/29, Law) reports, “Oregon voters soundly defeated a three-year income and corporate tax increase Tuesday, triggering state trooper layoffs and immediate cuts to public schools, colleges and senior and disabled services.” The Statesman Journal continues, “‘Measure 28 was a short-term fix to a long-term problem,’ said Gov. Ted Kulongoski, a Democrat. ‘We need to face up to the fact that Oregon is in a recession and our tax structure is such that when the economy takes a downturn, state services take a hit.'” The Statesman Journal adds, “The immediate cuts take place Saturday, under a law passed by the Legislature when it placed Measure 28 on the ballot. … However, House leaders hope to persuade the Senate and Kulongoski to delay the cuts awhile. They hope to forge a quick agreement to prevent what they call ‘lethal cuts.'” The Statesman Journal notes, “Russ Walker, Northwest director of Citizens for a Sound Economy, who opposed Measure 28, said it’s time for the Legislature to reprioritize spending. His group wants the state to slash economic development, eliminate the Oregon Cultural Trust and privatize the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, among other ideas.”