Higher Taxes

Jeff Merkley loves to raise taxes. While in the Oregon legislature, Jeff Merkley voted to raise taxes nine times. ¹ He voted for higher fees three times ² and he voted against tax relief 18 times. ³ And Merkley cosponsored legislation to increase taxes. ⁴

Some of Merkley's twelve votes for higher taxes and fees included his vote for one of the largest tax increases in Oregon history -- an increase of more than a billion dollars ⁵, including an income tax surcharge, a new tax on nursing homes, higher property taxes, and costing seniors more on medical expenses. ⁶

• Merkley voted for a higher gas and fuel tax -- 4 different times. ⁷
   
• Merkley voted to impose a fee of $20 per set for new license plates registered in Oregon. ⁸

Oregon was in recession in 2001. ⁹ In 2003, Oregon's unemployment rate was the highest in the country. ¹⁰ What was Jeff Merkley's solution? In 2003, Jeff Merkley voted to raise taxes by more than one billion dollars. ¹¹ Higher taxes on families earning more than $10,000 per year. ¹²

Merkley even voted against lowering Oregonians' taxes 18 times.

• Merkley voted against extending tax credits for biofuel, ethanol and other fuel additive providers. ¹³
   
• Merkley even voted against creating an income tax credit for physicians who provide volunteer services at community-based health centers. ¹⁴

Merkley cosponsored legislation to increase taxes.

• Merkley cosponsored a bill that would have increased taxes on Oregon businesses. ¹⁵

Jeff Merkley voted to raise the gas tax. He voted for the same bill four different times. ¹⁶

According to a 1999 Statesman Journal article, "House Bill 2082, which the Senate approved last weekend, finally passed the House 36-23 late Friday night. Its passage, with exactly the number of votes necessary, marked a historic day for Oregon, which hasn't approved a new funding package for roadwork since 1991.

"The state will raise gas taxes 2 cents a gallon in November and 3 cents in January, and replace the weight-mile tax on big trucks with a 29-cent diesel tax and higher registration fees." ¹⁷

The Bill Later Was Brought To The Citizens As Ballot Measure 82, And Was Rejected By 87 Percent Of Oregon Voters. ^{18, 19}

With our economy in crisis and losing jobs, we can't afford a tax-and-spend job killer like Jeff Merkley.

¹ HB 2747 (June 6, 2003) [PDF], HB 2152 (Aug. 20, 2003) [PDF], HB 4079 (Sept. 17, 2002) [PDF], HB 2082 (May 27, 1999) [PDF], HB 2082 (July 22, 1999) [PDF], HB 2082 (July 23, 1999) [PDF], HB 2082 (July 23, 1999) [PDF], HB 2199 (May 27, 1999) [PDF], HB 2199 (May 28, 1999) [PDF]
² HB 2269 (June 25, 2007) [PDF], HB 2961 (May 16, 2007) [PDF], HB 3551 (June 25, 2007) [PDF]
³ HB 2332 (May 9, 2005) [PDF], HB 2542 (April 6, 2005) [PDF], HB 2542 (July 20, 2005) [PDF], HB 2629 (April 7, 2005) [PDF], HB 3087 (May 16, 2005) [PDF], HB 3481 (June 28, 2005) [PDF], SB 1083 (July 30, 2005) [PDF], HB 2372 (April 7, 2003) [PDF], HB 2372 (Aug. 18, 2003) [PDF], HB 2161 (March 9, 2001) [PDF], HB 2281 (July 3, 2001) [PDF], SB 67 (July 1, 2001) [PDF], SB 535 (July 15, 1999) [PDF], SB 595 (June 28, 1999) [PDF], HB 2792 (May 12, 1999) [PDF], HB 2792 (July 1, 1999) [PDF], HB 3595 (May 25, 1999) [PDF], HB 3595 (July 1, 1999) [PDF]
⁴ HB 3068 (2005) [PDF]
⁵ HB 2152 (2003) [PDF]
⁶ [PDF] HB 2152 (Aug. 20, 2003) David Steves, "Tax-raising Bill Goes To Governor," The Register-Guard, Aug. 21, 2003, James Mayer, "Measure 30: A Voters' Guide: Details Define Issues, Answers," The Oregonian, Feb. 1, 2004, Editorial, "Wealthy Would Bear Brunt Of Tax Plan," Statesman Journal, Jan. 18, 2004
⁷ HB 2082 (May 27, 1999), HB 2082 (July 22, 1999), HB 2082 (July 23, 1999), HB 2082 (July 23, 1999) | [PDF] [PDF] [PDF] [PDF]
⁸ HB 2269 (June 25, 2007) [PDF]
⁹ Background Brief, "Oregon's Economy," Legislative Revenue Office, May 2004 [PDF]
¹⁰ Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Highest Unemployment Rate In 2003: Oregon," March 1, 2004 [PDF]
¹¹ HB 2152 (Aug. 20, 2003) [PDF]; Revenue Impact Of Proposed Legislation, HB 2152 [PDF]
¹² HB 2152 (Aug. 20, 2003) [PDF]; "Tax Election Primer," Statesman Journal, Dec. 7, 2003 [PDF]
¹³ HB 3481 (June 28, 2005) [PDF]
¹⁴ HB 3087 (May 16, 2005) [PDF]
¹⁵ HB 3068 (2005) [PDF]
¹⁶ HB 2082 (May 27, 1999), HB 2082 (July 22, 1999) [PDF], HB 2082 (July 23, 1999), HB 2082 (July 23, 1999) | [PDF] [PDF] [PDF] [PDF]
¹⁷ Keith O'Brien, "House Approves Hike In Gas Tax," Statesman Journal, July 24, 1999 [PDF]
¹⁸ "Ballot Measure 77 Local Taxing Districs SJR1," Associated Press, May 17, 2000 [PDF]
¹⁹ Oregon Secretary of State Elections Division Web site, Accessed Sept. 5, 2008 [PDF]