Liberal taxes wrecked Portland’s art, theater community

By Taxpayers Association of Oregon
OregonWatchdog.com

The Oregonian has a great article about the long-term decline trends of Portland’s theater and art activities.  The chart above shows the Big 5 Portland theaters (Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Keller Auditorium, Newmark Theatre, Dolores Winningstad Theatre, Brunish Theatre) that show plays, concerts and guest lectures.

Audiences are way down, so much, that many smaller venues are closing.

During this big decline, Portlanders have been hit with a dozen new taxes.

The liberals taxed away their audience.

Their solution? Last year, Portland state lawmakers helped divert $3 million of  State tax dollars to fund a non-profit to subsidize Portland festivals.  The same lawmakers also used $10 million of state tax dollars to build a new Portland mega-restaurant.

The more Portland hurts itself, the more rural Oregon taxpayers have to be hurt to pay for their problems.

Watching liberal wreck their arts scene comes just one week after it was made public that Oregon’s outdoor scene has fallen to the bottom in state rankings.  This too, was blamed on high taxes.

Liberal high taxes and reckless regulations are ruining the top priorities of liberals themselves.  If only they could draw the connection.

Support independent journalism.  Donate at OregonWatchdog.com (learn about a Charitable Tax Deduction or Political Tax Credit options to promote liberty).