How School Districts are Making Homes and Office Buildings Less Affordable

Many of you may not know but the Legislature gave school districts taxing authority without requiring a vote of the people. In 2007, the Legislature passed the SB 1036 which allows school districts to charge a construction excise tax. This allows school districts to charge up to $1.00 per sq foot on a house and $.50 a sq foot on commercial buildings with a max of $25,000 and $.25 per sq foot on industrial with a max of $25,000.

School districts can’t pass these fast enough. As the housing economy is slowing drastically, it makes no sense to be adding these types of taxes. These types of policies will continue to drive up home prices up throughout Oregon and drive businesses out of Oregon who want to expand.