Bud Pierce reacts to Kate Brown’s support of IP-28/Measure 97

Bud Pierce for Governor

Salem, OR – Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Bud Pierce is disappointed, but not surprised that Gov. Kate Brown is supporting the largest sales tax increase in Oregon’s history, Measure 97, formerly called IP-28.

“The choice is clear. Kate Brown believes that the government never has enough and always wants more. I believe that the government has enough, if the government spends wisely,” said Pierce.  “If passed, this tax increase would greatly raise the cost of living in Oregon. Everyone, including low income families would be paying on average more than $1,800 per family more for goods and services. A tax increase like this will not help anyone. It will hurt low income families in Oregon the most,” said Pierce.

Pierce is a strong opponent to Measure 97, because it is a regressive gross receipts tax with the highest rate in the country, according to The Tax Foundation.

“I’m quite honestly not surprised that Brown is supporting this tax increase. It took her more than 300 days to take a stance on the measure. However, months ago she released how she would spend the money raised by this increase, which showed that she obviously supported the measure, but was afraid to take an unpopular position.” said Pierce.

“Governor Brown has sided with the entrenched special interests rather than low income and middle class Oregonians.”

Pierce also opposes Measure 97 because it does not contain specific details about where the state will spend the billions of dollars raised each year through this tax.

“I’m afraid if this measure passes, it’ll cripple Oregon’s already fragile economy. Many companies, like Powell’s Books have already said they may be forced to close their doors due to this huge tax increase. I’m against any measure that will take businesses and jobs out of our state,” said Pierce.

If it passes, Measure 97 will not just hurt businesses and jobs, it’ll hurt everyday Oregonians.

“More to the point, however, I think we should be doing everything we can to help Oregon families by cutting the tax of low- and moderate-income Oregonians. Kate Brown’s $6 billion tax hike does just the opposite in order to placate her allies in Oregon’s government employee union leadership,” said Pierce.