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For today I will stick with my plan of talking about taxes. There are roughly 60 tax increase proposals in the House Revenue Committee. I thought it would be informative to let you know what might be coming your way.

HB 2009: A tax on hospitals, managed care and other heath insurance plans

HB 2067: Potentially could eliminate most personal and business tax credits

HB 2069: Limits the amount of medical expenses elderly tax payers can deduct from Oregon taxes

HB 2070: Increase corporate minimum to 2% of the “value of the business”

HB 2071: Increase cost of recording fees with the money diverted to other things

HB 2972: Tax on amount of carbon used in production of fuel or electricity

HB 2075: Sixty cent a pack increase in the tax on cigarettes

HB 2076: Provider tax on multiple parts of the health care system

HB 2077: Decreases the amount of federal taxes paid deductable from state taxes

HB 2078: Creates a new top tax bracket rate (10%) in Oregon

HB 2116: Gross receipts tax on insurance premiums

HB 2119: Another bill to increase corporate minimum

HB 2120: Gas tax, vehicle registration and title fee increases

HB 2122: Cigarette tax

HB 2379: Another cigarette tax

HB 2413: Creates a new government entity and funds it with an increase in traffic fines

HB 2431: Tax on airplane fuel

HB 2461: Beer tax

HB 2471: Another senior health care tax

HB 2474: Reduces discount on property tax payments

HB 2648: Another reduction in federal taxes claimed on state return

HB 2649: Creates a 7.5% alternative minimum tax rate

HB 2650: Straight tax increase

HB 2651: Straight tax increase

HB 2652: Straight tax increase

HB 2672: Tax on snuff

HB 2696: Convoluted tax increase

HB 2698: Taxing some things the Feds don’t

HB 2697: Similar to 2698

HB 2711: Similar to 2697 & 2698

HB 2712: Tax increase on fire insurance policies

HB 2749: A tax on amusement devices

HB 2769: Repeals tax credit for farm worker housing

HB 2771: Tax on wine

HB 2772: Another medical tax on seniors

HB 2773: Corporate surcharge

HB 2774: One percent personal tax surcharge

HB 2807: Refer back to HB 2711

HB 2818: Tax on vehicle rentals

HB 2843: Straight tax increase

HB 2854: Refer back to 2711 or 2697 (it all the same with a twist)

HB 2913: Corporate tax increase

HB 2934: Another health care tax

HB 2935: A different way to tax business

HB 3049: Another corporate minimum tax

HB 3115: Another state tax on things the feds don’t tax

HB 3146: Tax on luxury items (whatever that means)

HB 3148: Another vehicle registration fee increase

There are a few others, but I wanted to end with one that is probably the crown jewel of the list.

HB 3303: CREATES EXCISE TAX ON BIRDSEED

In this building the conversation continues to be about the trouble government is in and what we need to do to fill the government’s budget hole. The latest projection is we could be down five billion dollars based on current service level budgeting. What never gets mentioned is the fact the economy of the state is down fifty billion dollars, unemployment could reach 30% in some parts of the state and we are doing nothing to deal with these problems.

While the Democrats have been focused on tax and fee increases the Republicans have been looking for ways to reduce government and regulations to allow the private sector to put Oregonians back to work. We will be unveiling our plan soon. So far legislative leadership has not been interested in any of the components.

One more thing about the list of taxes, significant portions are for the creation of new programs. In this economy how does that make any sense?

Sincerely,

Senator Jeff Kruse

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