Update on gas tax, car tax, tire tax battle

We compared the 11 different tax idea plan to a wrestling battle royal.
By Taxpayers Association of Oregon
OregonWatchdog.com

It was over a month ago on April 3rd, that the group of Democrat lawmaker leaders laid out a plan for $1.8 billion in new road taxes to fund ODOT.   The tax plan included 11 new or increased taxes (gas tax hike, car tax hike, new car tax, EV tax, bike tax hike, two DMV fee hikes, payroll tax hike, delivery vehicle tax, tire tax, truck tax hike).

It was revealed that the politicians aimed to lay out all kinds of taxes to see which ones would stick the best.  It was a public lab rat test.

The public and the lobby has not embraced any of the taxes in the plan.  The whole project is in limbo.

Here is what lies ahead:

#1. The revenue forecast is on Wednesday.  The all-important economic numbers update will determine whether Oregon has a bonus billion or a shrinking billion in tax revenue based on analyzing current tax returns.  Oregon could be up by millions or down by millions.

#2. The Legislature must be able to obtain a super-majority to approve a tax increase. It takes a super-majority to approve a tax increase. The Democrat majority cannot afford to lose a single vote. One lawmaker has been undergoing health problems. Other lawmakers may not agree to the entire package. Republican lawmakers may find themselves being courted for the vote. This issue must be resolved for the road tax package to advance.

#3. Once these two issues have been resolved — expect a rip-roaring fast hearing where this entire ugly tax package will be ram-rod through the House and Senate. So be prepared.  We told you that this was coming.

#4. Republican lawmakers have drafted their own alternative to fund ODOT without raising taxes.  They cut government waste — just like other states.   This could be a big winner if both parties embrace it fully.

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