Kicker theft (today). Home tax. Gas tax win. Campaign $$

By Taxpayers Association of Oregon
OregonWatchdog.com

• Kicker theft bill #2:  SJR 201 is the SECOND Kicker theft bill introduced in the Legislature and is having its first hearing today.  People can submit online testimony today and tomorrow (Thursday). SJR 201 is a Constitutional Amendment to be referred to voters for approval that would divert HALF of your Kicker tax refund to education, community colleges and forestry. The bill is up for a hearing on Feb 18th in the Senate Finance and Revenue Committee  02/18/2026 8:00 AM, HR A .  Click here and then hit “online testimony” tab.

• Bill rolls back Home mortgage interest deduction for second property: HB 4136 would roll back the home mortgage interest deduction for second homes. You can still submit testimony here.

• Local gas tax win:  The #23 amendments to HB 4007 would have removed the rule that requires local gas taxes by cities and counties to require a vote of the people to be approved.  Those sneaker amendments were rejected on Monday, and now HB 4007 is a more normal bill.

• Bill legalizes backroom deals by politicians: Right now, local Oregon city and county elected officials are not allowed to meet in private where matters of lawmaking can occur.  HB 4177 wants to relax those rules by creating exceptions.   The more politicians can meet in secret or hidden the public, the more they can make back room deals and hash out issues without the need for public involvement.

• Unions aim to rig campaign finance reform to benefit unions: – HB 4018 has amendments that critics say will change the upcoming campaign finance reform laws to wildly favor unions and hamstring businesses.

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