Restore timber levels would void Kulongoski 30% property tax hike

The Governor and the Task Force on Federal Forest Payments are agreeing on a set of recommendations designed to fix the declining county timber payments by both increasing timber harvesting and raising property taxes by 30%. The tax is most unnecessary because the large area of BLM land already set aside for timber use (WOPR), is available and just by harvesting 48% of this land would restore over 90% of the lost funding to counties.

There is absolutely no need for a massive property tax hike. Increasing property taxes in the middle of housing crisis will do nothing but push more homeowners out of their homes. More taxes will mean less jobs and less economic growth which already is afflicting rural Oregon. Higher taxes will make it worse.

Jason Williams
State Director
Taxpayer Association of Oregon