No to both Oregon hotel taxes (HB 2977, Measure 29-183)

Two hotel tax increases, House Bill 2977 and Measure 29-183
By Taxpayers Association of Oregon
OregonWatchdog.com

Oregonians are facing two hotel taxes.

#1. House Bill 2977 raises the transient lodging tax on Oregon hotels statewide to pay for wildlife programs. 

#2. Tillamook voters are facing Ballot Measure #29-183 which raises the hotel/transient lodging tax.

Costly new hotel taxes like House Bill 2977 and Tillamook’s Measure 29-183 will drive away tourists and hurt the local economy.

The Taxpayers Association of Oregon asked a local coastal tourism expert on the state of hotels along the Oregon coast.  It was revealed that hotels suffer from high costs which are pushing visitors to use AirBnB and off-market rentals (that don’t pay the tax).  An example was given that it is common for people who use Oregon coastal hotels to skip on visiting a restaurant as a way of saving money.   They will just buy something at the grocery store and eat in.  It turns out that if you spike taxes and costs high enough, consumers will respond by spending less.  That hurts the local economy.

This is why House Bill 2977 and Measure #29-183 are bad ideas.

Furthermore our state tourism dollars are being wasted.   A 2020 audit showed suspected misuse of state tourism tax dollars. (Oregonian 2/13/20).

House Bill 2977 (HB 2977) summary reads “Increases the state transient lodging tax. Changes the name of the Oregon Conservation Strategy Subaccount to the Recovering Oregon’s Wildlife Fund Subaccount. Transfers moneys attributable to the increase of the state transient lodging tax to the Recovering Oregon’s Wildlife Fund Subaccount. Takes effect on the 91st day following adjournment sine die”  This hotel tax bill, HB 2977, is sponsored by Oregon State Senator Chris Gorsek (D), Senator Kahn Pham (D), Representative Ken Helm (D), Representative Farrah Chaichi (D), Representative Mark Gamba (D), Representative Pam Marsh (D).

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