13 tax road plan revealed as public lab rat test

By Taxpayers Association of Oregon
OregonWatchdog.com

Some 14 days ago, Legislative Democrat leaders dropped a 13-tax transportation package plan.  As stated, it included 13 different tax increases that came out of nowhere.

There is no bill for the publci to see details.

Also missing is the list of accountability and cost-saving measures introduced by several Republican lawmakers working on the issue.

Now we learn from Capitol insiders that the 13-tax transportation mega-tax package is just a public lab-rat experiment to see which tax ideas the public hates the most.   A focus group of horrors.

It is like a wrestling cage match or The Hunger Games to see which industry (tires, trucks, EVs, ) can scream the loudest to get their tax pulled from the list.

Here is a visual example:

The above picture is not how you craft sound, solid tax policy.

Because of this sloppy roll-out, expect a different package to emerge later — just as Session is winding down and people are not paying attention.

Here are some details on the $1.9 billion road package:

#1. Wage tax hike (payroll) + 125% increase
This increases the payroll wage tax/surcharge on your employee paycheck. It currently is .1%and the new increase brings it up to .18% a big 125% increase. This funds various transit projects.

#2. Gas tax (+ 20-cent) + 50% increase
Increases Oregon’s current 40-cent gas tax by 20-cents. The Oregon gas tax was last raised last year by 5%. Oregon has the nation’s 10th highest gas tax.

#3. New 1% car tax — this car tax is a new tax
Creates a new “one-time system use fee” for when you purchase a vehicle, new or used.

#4. New 3% Tire Tax new — this tire tax is a brand new tax
Enacts new 3% tax on tires to raise $25 million for train expenses, salmon management expenses and wildlife crossings. Half of tire tax will go to train programs.

#5. Car sales tax + 60% increase
Increases the Oregon new car sales tax, also called the privilege tax, by 60%. Takes it from .5% to .8%.

#6. DMV fee #1 — Title fee increase +100%
Adds new $90 fee increase to current fees that range from $90 to $190.

#7. DMV fee #2 — Vehicle registration fee increase
Increases vehicle registration fees by $66

#8. Weight Mile Tax + 16.9%
This increases the weight mile tax on heavy vehicles

#9. EV road use charge new
Creates new “road usage charge” for electric vehicles.  This also may apply to hybrid (gas/EV) vehicles.

#10. Delivery vehicle charge new
New charge for any delivery companies with more than 10 vehicles.

#11 Bike tax increase — 63% increase
Increases current bike tax from $15 to $24.9 for all bikes over $200.
But wait there’s more …

#12. Indexing fuel taxes.
– This plan aims to index fuel taxes to inflation so they will increase without a vote of lawmakers.   If America gets an inflation spike, so will the tax spike.

#13. Spends tax dollars giving subsidies for youth using buses.

#14. Hand-outs to Amtrak. 
Aims to give $17 million to Amtrak train services, despite their declining popularity.

— still analyzing details as we speak.

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