House GOP kills bill letting counties raise car taxes

From House Republican Press Relealse 6-18-07:

HOUSE REPUBLICANS KILL DEMOCRATIC PLAN ALLOWING COUNTIES TO RAISE VEHICLE FEES WITHOUT VOTER APPROVAL

SALEM””House Republicans today successfully defeated a Democratic plan allowing counties to increase vehicle registration fees without the consent of its citizens. Current law allows counties to raise their own registration fees, but HB 2691 would have eliminated the provision requiring voter approval by county voters.

“On several fronts, the Legislature is actively taking tax decisions out of the hands of citizens,” said Rep. Tom Butler (R-Ontario), Vice-Chair of the House Revenue Committee. “HB 2691 was yet another bill to disenfranchise of voters of their right to speak out as taxes are proposed and enacted by local governments and school boards.”

On May 15 voters rejected five county tax measures, including the Lane County Income Tax that was approved by commissioners. Polls also show that Oregonians are growing increasingly hostile to tax increases.

“Last month, Oregonians strongly opposed tax increases forced upon them by local governments,” said House Republican Leader Wayne Scott (R-Canby). “Democratic leadership wanted to silence the voters by creating a revenue-raising loophole for local politicians.” HB 2691 failed on a 27 to 33 vote, with all House Republicans opposing the bill.

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