Grandma’s 1991 letter to Dick Singer re Measure 5. Text:
Dear Sen. Singer:
There must be lots of voters who are shocked to learn that Measure 5--which they supported because of concern for homeowners living on low fixed incomes--was primarily benefiting owners of business properties. And now those businesses and corporations have the nerve to go after an additional bonanza through a bill craftily called “a taxpayers’ bill of rights.”
There does need to be legislation to bring new revenues. Otherwise Oregonians in need--the homeless, hungry, mentally ill- are going to be cast aside. But business should be a source of such revenue, not a recipient. Ever since 1970 the Corporation Income Tax has been going down in proportion to total tax receipts. This should be corrected; and a commercial property tax or a gross receipts tax on businesses should be given heavy consideration.
Some of us would even welcome a restructuring of the personal income tax. BUT PLEASE don’t let the Ways and Means Committee push another gambling measure. When Gov. Goldschmidt embraced state-sponsored lottery measures for revenue-raising purposes, many of us felt utterly disillusioned with a formerly highly credible public figure.
Sincerely,
Mary E. Bolton