Republicans challenge Democrats over definition of making Oregon more affordable
Oregon House Republicans have introduced bills cutting taxes in a likely attempt to hold Democrat leadership accountable for their stated priority to lower the cost of living for Oregonians. Early in the session, Democrats published their number one priority was “Keeping more money in Oregonians’ pockets.” Their “Oregon Forward” agenda seems to be losing footing.
House Republican Leader Christine Drazan (R-Canby), made it clear: “House Republicans want families to keep more of what they make by cutting income taxes and opposing new taxes and regulations that increase the cost of living. Lowering costs for Oregonians, starting with their tax bill, is our top priority.”
A
recent poll commissioned by House Republicans found that a whopping 79% of Oregonians favor cutting taxes to make Oregon more affordable and 70% favor eliminating state income taxes on tips and overtime pay. The same poll showed that Oregonians see the cost of living as the top issue they face with 56% of Oregonians saying that taxes are too high. The statewide poll was conducted by Public Opinion Strategies between January 4–7th of this year, and surveyed 500 registered Oregon voters with a ±4.38% margin of error.
House Republicans have introduced legislation to cut taxes for working Oregonians. However, the likelihood of a hearing is slim in a Democrat majority session.
Meanwhile, Democrats seem to have lost their agenda for “keeping more money in Oregonians’ pockets" introducing:
- SJR 15 – abolishes kicker refund.
- HB 3362 – a 4% tire tax.
- SB712 SB 712 – increases property value 3% annually.
- HB 2525 – quintuple increase to political tax credit.
- SB 682 - cost recovery, a retro tax on fossil fuel entities.
- HJR 6 – constitution amendment to impose a property tax for a flush fund to cover emergencies.
- SB 687 – allows local governments to impose fuel tax or vehicle registration fee without voter approval.
- HB 2977 – increase lodging tax by 1.5% for wildlife fund.
- HB 2528 – allows OHA to tax nicotine products without vote of legislature.
- SB 526 – impacts the cost of washing machines requiring they be equipped with a microfiber filtration system.
- HB 551 - bans reusable plastic bags.
- SB 916 – increases unemployment rates allowing striking workers to collect unemployment.
“By cutting taxes for working families, nearly tripling standard deductions, HB 3753 is a direct way we can help the most tax-burdened Oregonians keep more of their paycheck,” said Rep. E. Werner Reschke (R-Klamath Falls), Vice Chair of the House Revenue Committee. “While House Democrats look for ways to take more money from Oregonians to fund an ever-growing and inefficient government, House Republicans stand with families desperate for relief.”
“Eliminating taxes on tips helps thousands of Oregonians working in the hospitality and service industries keep more money in their pockets as they face inflation and rising costs,” said Rep. Mark Owens (R-Crane), House Republican Assistant Leader and co-chief sponsor of HB 3914.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
"Oregonians who work extra hours to support their families deserve to keep more of their hard-earned paychecks. No Tax on Overtime is a great way to give working Oregonians real, tangible relief from rising costs," said Rep. Boshart Davis (R-Albany), House Republican Assistant Leader and chief-sponsor of HB 2234.
Oregon ranks as the 10th most expensive state to live according to Forbes while another report by Finance Buzz found that Oregonians pay the highest rate in state income taxes in the country. Nine states have made major cuts to income taxes in 2025, according to the Tax Foundation. There are also 39 states changing some part of their tax code.
Tax cuts are argued to increase an individual or family's disposable income, improve income distribution, spur spending, and help grow the economy. The benefit depends on whether the priority is to lower the cost of living or inflate government.
--Donna Bleiler| Post Date: 2025-03-14 20:24:44 | Last Update: 2025-03-14 22:31:43 |
