Metro’s $6 Billion gas, car, income tax plan

By Taxpayer Association of Oregon
OregonWatchdog.com

Portland-area METRO regional government announced this week that they are looking to raise $6.25 billion in new transportation taxes from taxpayers in Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas Counties. METRO has been studying every tax idea ranging from a sales tax, business tax, income tax, payroll tax to a vehicle registration fee. So far they seem to be focusing on a multi-tax approach. Here is what the Oregonian reported,

“I presume that we will be looking at a combination of taxes,” Shaw said, which could range from a $56 vehicle registration fee to a payroll tax to an income tax. For example, a .21% payroll tax would raise $100 million per year, according to the analysis. A personal income tax of .2% would raise a similar figure. The agency also is considering a progressive income tax that would charge wealthier metro-area residents an escalating fee, depending on their income level.

Metro also is examining a business income tax, not unlike those in the city of Portland and Multnomah County. A .8% tax on business incomes would raise $100 million…The option of a combination of a vehicle registration fee, income tax and payroll tax yielded the largest support…”

This $6 billion in new transportation tax proposal would be on top of the $6 billion in new transportation taxes (gas, payroll, vehicle registration, truck tax increase) passed by the 2017 Legislature.

Most of these funds would not go to building new roads but rather fund expensive trains and buses.

The Taxpayer Association is committed to fighting these taxes.

– In 2017, The Taxpayer Association fought the Legislature $6 billion gas tax, payroll tax & truck tax bill.

– In 2018, The Taxpayer Association fought METRO’s $650 million property tax increase (26-199).

– In 2019, The Taxpayer Association fought METRO’s $475 million property tax renewal (26-203).

– In 2020, the Taxpayer Association will fight this $6.25 billion in new transportation taxes.

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