2 GOP lawmakers rumored to defect to big tax package

By Taxpayers Association of Oregon
OregonWatchdog.com

OPB reports, “As a small clutch of Oregon lawmakers meet behind closed doors to negotiate a still-secret bill to fund road and bridge upkeep, some of those left on the outside aren’t pleased.House Republicans have bristled in recent weeks after learning that two of their members went rogue. State Reps. Kevin Mannix, R-Salem, and Jeff Helfrich, R-Hood River, quietly agreed to work with Democrats on a deal that could prove crucial to the chances of the transportation bill.Under that arrangement, Mannix and Helfrich aren’t discussing any aspects of a possible deal with their party — and initially didn’t even acknowledge to colleagues the meetings were occurring.”

The Democrat leadership in Salem has proposed a $1.8 Billion road tax package that includes a dozen tax increases.

Republican lawmakers have responded with their own road package that prioritizes cutting government waste and abuse — and offers no tax increase.

This rumor from OPB has been heard elsewhere in the Capitol and bears comment.

The Democrat-led road tax package is an epic disaster of a plan as it contains every bad tax idea imaginable that poses extreme danger to taxpayers and our economy.  Furthermore, these Democratic leaders have refused to hold proper hearings on their ideas and have decided to wait until the last minute to ramrod the plan through.   Everything about this road tax bill is wrong.

Republican leaders have worked hard for months on their better plan.  If two members defect, it not only empowers one of the worst bills of the entire Legislature, but it also destroys the voice, unity and power of the minority party.  This means all of their bills, ideas and Legislation becomes compromised.  The destruction from defectors on such a consequential bill will be severe for all the members of minority party. It goes beyond a single vote.

This would be a terrible thing to do.

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