Lawmakers to steal Kicker Refund by force (HB 1177 hearing)

Senate Bill 1177 takes the people’s Kicker Refund
By Taxpayers Association of Oregon
OregonWatchdog.com

During last week’s massive pile-up of Legislative Bills to meet the deadline and the roll-out of the $1.9 billion transportation package was a very devious bill to raid the people’s Kicker with Senate Bill 1177.

A hearing was held on Senate Bill 1177 in the Senate Committee On Finance and Revenue.

Senate Bill 1177 would steal the current Kicker which has amassed over $1.1 billion in over-collected surplus taxes in the current budget cycle.  By Oregon Constitutional law, over-collected, surplus tax funds must be returned to taxpayers who paid it.   Current estimate has your kicker tax refund at around $600 on average and taxpayers will be able to collect it during next year’s April tax season.

Because voters put the this amazing Kicker Refund law in the Constitution (so politicians would not steal it) — it requires a vote of the same people to change it.  EXCEPT for an emergency-like provision where if lawmakers amass a 66% vote.   Under a 66% vote margin, politicians can amend the Constitution without voter approval.

Since politicians know you will say NO to losing your Kicker Refund, the politicians plan to shut down voter dissent and just take the money with Senate Bill 1177 .

Senate Bill 117 would steal the people’s kicker and put the billion into a wildfire slush fund.   Politicians would earn interest from the fund and be used to fight fires.

As we mentioned in our cartoon graphics (see below), that the previous Legislative Session grew the budget by 20%.  Despite 20% growth — the politicians left out wildfire funding!!!

Now the same politicians want new taxes!

One advocate for the kicker raid said at the hearing that  the people’s Kicker refund could be used to fireproofing people’s homes as a way to stop future wildfires.

The Kicker-theft lobby do not even plan to use it primarily for basic wildfire prevention like removing fire-threat brush, cut dead-diseased trees, allow for healthy harvesting, maintain forest roads for emergency access or purchase a fast-response jumbo jet super-tanker fire suppressor.   The wildfire debate seems to be based around taxpayer bailouts for post-damage areas and build fire-proof homes rather than basic forest management.

Now assembling a 66% vote threshold requires a 40-vote margin (of 60) in the House and a 20-vote margin (of 30) in the Oregon Senate.

This would require 100% Democrat votes plus two Republicans in the House and two Republicans in the Senate for Senate Bill 1177 to be passed.

This vote margin would be hard, but with a billion dollars being stolen and put into a slush fund — anything can happen.

Right now as lawmakers claim they have no money to fight fires they are considering …

• a bill to give Hollywood film companies $28 million in tax breaks.
• a bill to cost nearly $50 million giving all government workers a work-free holiday with the Lunar New Year
• a bill to spend $10 million of tax dollars for a private Portland mega-restaurant.
• a bill to raise through tax gimmicks $800 million for a baseball stadium
• a bonus $8 million to art programs
• Free food stamps for non-citizens
• Free breakfast and lunch for all students — even subsidize our richest neighborhoods.
• Free mini-fridges, air conditioners and cooking classes using Medicaid money meant for hospital bills and surgeries.

Lawmakers are floating a billion in mis-spending projects, and are not even looking to control spending to fight waste, fraud and abuse.

With the Legislature nearing the final 60+ days, this Senate Bill 1177, if voted upon, would come very quickly.  This is why YOU MUST SHARE this alert article before the surprise vote happens in the next 60+ days.

People need to understand and be aware of Senate Bill 1177 before it comes up for a vote.

Please SHARE this article to warn others.  Email it, Tweet it, Post it, Like it, Print it, Blog it.

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