The fatal conceit of selective tax breaks
Oregon legislators are eager to review existing tax breaks. The thinking is, some breaks may have outlived their usefulness.
A state representative questioned, “Are there things on the books that could be limited or eliminated to find revenue to apply to other tax credits?” He noted that perhaps the legislature could (more…)
Kitzhaber doubts power of government?
After holding various political offices for 22 years, former Governor John Kitzhaber recently said he sees an “apparent inability of our public institutions to deal in a timely and effective manner with the problems confronting us as a nation and as a society.” Kitzhaber called for even more citizen involvement as a way to bring people together on key public issues.
We would be headed in a positive direction if (more…)
Measure 28: No cure for Oregon’s ailing economy
Many proponents of Measure 28 advocate it as the key to bolstering Oregon’s ailing economy. However, if higher taxes and more government spending were truly the cause of a strong economy, then Oregon would currently enjoy one of the healthiest economies in the nation.
Cascade Policy Institute president Steve Buckstein points out, “The state’s general fund budget has grown at (more…)
For a better road system: electronic tolling
The Oregon Road User Fee Task Force recently became the object of scorn by media pundits. Why? Because the Task Force recommended that Oregon test a Global Positioning Satellite-based system to collect tolls from motorists, using volunteer car fleets for the initial research.
Oregon roads are paid for primarily through a (more…)