State Rep. Ed Diehl (R) says tax opponents have collected 150,000 signatures in less than two weeks; 78,000 needed to put on ballot; Nov. 2026 showdown looms
1) I hope the petitioners get over 200 K signatures, Don't trust the SoS
2) what would stop our illustrious legislatures from repealing the current tax bill and substituting a new modified tax bill in 26 to avoid the 28 election
Education is one of GuvTina's focuses? I'm fairly sure I read that Oregon is tracking somewhere around 48th in 4th grade math and 49th for 8th grade versus the other states. That may not be all on her, but she did remove the statewide proficiency testing requirements that high school students had to take to graduate. It is so much easier to hide failure if you don't test for results.
I saw Christine Drazen's recent message about getting disruptive, violent kids out of classrooms and basically back in Special Ed classes, where they really do belong. It's imperative that this happens, because that is why our graduation rate in high school is so low. Kids get depressed and don't want to go to school if they are being assaulted by some crazy kid with no impulse control. I stand behind Drazen and will vote for her a second time! She's got common sense and we need that now, after years of extremist Democrats destroying public safety with all their protecting criminals and punishing crime victims.
I tell everyone I know to take their kids out of public schools. Portland public schools are no better than anywhere else. The bottom of the barrel. They can do better to home-school their children with the help of a tutor who visits the home and keeps them on track. Or there is an online public school, where the parents can supervise what content the child is exposed to. I would never have a child attend a Portland public school. Garbage and populated with "Trans activists," who are harming children. Kids don't need other adults to teach them about sex, or sexual identity. They need an education with a focus on reading, writing, math and critical thinking skills. NOT gender politics. PPS is a disaster...
It sounds like you provided a really intelligent and informed path to getting your daughter a good education. That is wonderful. My daughter came home from the third week of 6th grade and told me she would never go back. It was West Sylvan, supposedly the best public grammar school in Portland. She 'd been groped by a tall the grade boy. She was new, had gone to a private catholic school from K to 5th grade and we had a bad experience that last year with the new principal, this crazy guy from Gresham. I had her home schooled for middle school, 6-8th and she started at a good high school, later, but I had to listen to her. She came home that day, livid, because this brute grabbed her in the hall. That was her last day there. You want to protect them from bad experiences. I'm glad you were able to guide your daughter's education as well, because it sure is a challenge these days. I feel so sad for kids today. My daughter is in her middle 30s now.
That is correct and not just 4th but 8th grade as well. Lowest in reading and math. I love countering so-called progressives that attack Repub states education like MS, when Oregon, unfortunately, is actually ranked lower. What’s worse, before Carters unconstitutional DoE, union payoff (interesting here we’re talking another Dem payoff to union with this massive tax hike), OR was well ranked. Upper teens. We used to be taught the three Rs here.
The SEIU just started the union attack, smeared the signature-gathering for fraud; cue Machine apparatchiks Reed and Rayfield to start the dirty work.
The state's two leading media outlets--Oregonian and WillyWeek--have yet to say word one. Maybe the SEIU will get them off their preoccupation with ICE. At this point the story belongs to Pirate Media (including the one you're reading now).
Came to post. IG David Medina posted the letter. Millions and millions will be spent this next election. Odd isn’t it the the union is going against the truly most democratic process that can exist in the world, The People putting a decision on the ballot. Unbelievably undemocratic attack by a union. Do as I say not as I do. Mentality of so-called elites.
Our one-party state finally went three steps over the line.
Said vote is still a year off. And said one-party state always positions itself against Trump. And the tri-county consortium has long prevailed in determining the outcome. 🤞
there are still a few things that could go wrong: who certifies the signatures? who writes the measure? who writes the ballot title? and, just how many of the sheep in the Portland Metro area are beholden to the powers that be? Tina didn't get where she is without a lot of behind the scenes underhanded help.
You are very correct Mr. Lyon, many snakes in the grass.
This has been a very upbeat and non partisan signature gathering. Most tax increases passed by legislation or referendum are low key and couched in disarming 'it's only this much' language. HB 3991 is an in your face rip your wallet out of your hands strong arm move. Only the most left individuals appreciate this tactic.
My experiences in signature gathering thus far: It's been fun and uniting.
Most folks have sought out signing locations and many have a story to tell. It's not uncommon for people sharing their thoughts while signing. This referendum has sold itself, no persuasion has been required.
There are still those that are disengaged or too busy with life to know what HB 3991 is or what it does. Once informed people want to sign.
Ironically, quite a few times people have presented identification to sign. Some folks are surprised they don't need ID to sign.
I'll finish with the valid signatures and potential rejection by the SoS issue. If the signature verification is as loose for the signature sheets as it is for ballots, this referendum is a shoe in. If signatures need to be exactly as on a person's voter registration card the referendum may be in trouble. How many people know how they signed their registration card? Are all the signatories active voters? This shows the depth of problems with vote by mail, and centralized voter rolls. Will the same rule apply to rejected signatures for the referendum as for ballots? Will the county clerks send a letter requesting validation of address and signature to those rejected signatures? I surely doubt it.
Governor Kotax doesn't yet know the cans of worms she has opened. Blatant fiscal mis- management across the board. Disrespecting everyones demand for spending restraint. No concern for those already living on the edge of not having funds to pay for existing tax burdens, utilities, food and medical costs. Add to these issues the spotlight that will be shone on Oregon's broken voting system if thousands of voluntary signatures are rejected. That will reinforce the belief that a persons vote really doesn't matter, that they don't have a voice in Salem.
This referendum has become a win win for for Oregonians. Show up on presentation day in Salem, let the nation see that Oregon is still in the fight. https://notaxor.com/
If she tries anything underhanded, we will need to do a March to City Hall and protest. I'm serious. Me and a bunch of other old people. If there were enough people, it would make an impression...LOL...
It will be interesting to see if the Republican Party will capitalize on the anger towards Salem. Or do what they always do - miss an excellent opportunity to become relevant.
Not basically it is a sales tax. Had the senator Sollman say it wasn’t to an me in the only in person meeting I had with her. If you buy something, and it’s taxed, it’s a sales tax no matter what you name it. Further, double taxation since our income was already taxed. And what’s worse, we voted multiple times no sales tax, but the Dem oligarchy went behind citizens backs. Issue is, it won’t be. One of those “minor” taxes that only hit occasionally so not enough outcry. However, I’m not going to be buying or registering an RV in Or, should I buy one.
This is in my opinion one of the greatest opportunities for Oregon to move to the center. The real challenge will be to tune out the TDS rhetoric and continue to focus on the real issues Oregon faces. We are at the bottom of the barrel in almost every meaningful measure as a state. Consistent calm focus is needed to turn this state around and the vote is our only real power.
Hey Jeff, or any informed person, does singing the petition early matter? I signed before her highness officially signed the Bill. Mostly formality, but with the bureaucracy we have in Salem etc, does the pre Gov bill sign off, petition signature date matter? Understand couldn’t be turned in before but signing paperwork before is the question? Thank you in advance. Side note, awesome job by the volunteers and groups. In the normal OR cold, wet weather, working the tables.
Good observation Randall. If you signed a sheet then the SoS had to have approved the referendum language, which is printed on the back of every signature sheet. I would guess that would make your signature valid.
You are correct, this money grubbing group in Salem will make every attempt to fail this effort.
I agree that a statewide tax decision of this magnitude should go to the voters. The concern I have is that when it comes time for voters to decide on this issue, there’s no guarantee that the majority of voters will take into account how a YES vote or a NO vote will impact their everyday lives.
Sure, I understand folks don’t want to pay additional gas taxes, and road usage fees. I don’t want to pay them either. But not paying those fees also has consequences. It impacts all of us who use roads.
How many voters know how their vote will impact the cities and counties where they live? How many voters know that 50% of the ODOT state highway fund revenue generated from gas taxes and vehicle fees is given to cities and counties for them to maintain their own roads— 50% stays with ODOT, and 30% goes to the counties and 20% to cities.
I suggest you ask your local city or county official how much of their transportation maintenance funds rely on the state highway tax, and to what extent, your vote will impact their ability to resurface roads, plow and grade road surfaces, fill potholes, paint striping that wears off, replace damaged signage, etc..
I currently live in the city of Salem, our state capital. About 75% of Salem‘s transportation fund——which provides $$$ to clean up roads and encampments, repair sidewalks, paint crosswalks and fog lines, and fill potholes, etc.—-comes directly from the ODOT state highway tax. Without the increase, the city transportation fund will have a negative balance in a couple years because of constantly increasing costs for maintenance.
Dan Dorran, a Umatilla County Commissioner, was interviewed back in June and was asked how the current revenue from the state highway fund impacts Umatilla County. He said, “For Umatilla County, it means about a $7 [million] to $8 million budget for our roads.
Now in Umatilla County, we have basically 1,700 miles of road. A little over 300 miles are paved, the rest are gravel. We have over 300 bridges and another 300-plus culverts. All of those are maintained by the county. So we will use the state highway fund for everything from equipment, to gravel, to labor, to everything it takes to maintain and upgrade our road system.”
Anyone who has lived in a rural county (me included ) is likely familiar with the priorities of the county road maintenance system. if you live on a road that does not have a school bus route and you live way at the end of the road, chances are you better have the equipment to do your own snow plowing if you wanna get out of your driveway soon after a snowstorm in an emergency or to have a package delivered.
I’m not trying to tell anybody how they should vote, I’m only asking them to do a bit of research and be an informed voter before they make such a big decision. If the roads are not a priority for you then vote no.
A couple of things
1) I hope the petitioners get over 200 K signatures, Don't trust the SoS
2) what would stop our illustrious legislatures from repealing the current tax bill and substituting a new modified tax bill in 26 to avoid the 28 election
Second question is a good one, hopefully Jeff can answer.
I think that’s exactly what Jeff says above. In other nothing will stop them
Education is one of GuvTina's focuses? I'm fairly sure I read that Oregon is tracking somewhere around 48th in 4th grade math and 49th for 8th grade versus the other states. That may not be all on her, but she did remove the statewide proficiency testing requirements that high school students had to take to graduate. It is so much easier to hide failure if you don't test for results.
I saw Christine Drazen's recent message about getting disruptive, violent kids out of classrooms and basically back in Special Ed classes, where they really do belong. It's imperative that this happens, because that is why our graduation rate in high school is so low. Kids get depressed and don't want to go to school if they are being assaulted by some crazy kid with no impulse control. I stand behind Drazen and will vote for her a second time! She's got common sense and we need that now, after years of extremist Democrats destroying public safety with all their protecting criminals and punishing crime victims.
I tell everyone I know to take their kids out of public schools. Portland public schools are no better than anywhere else. The bottom of the barrel. They can do better to home-school their children with the help of a tutor who visits the home and keeps them on track. Or there is an online public school, where the parents can supervise what content the child is exposed to. I would never have a child attend a Portland public school. Garbage and populated with "Trans activists," who are harming children. Kids don't need other adults to teach them about sex, or sexual identity. They need an education with a focus on reading, writing, math and critical thinking skills. NOT gender politics. PPS is a disaster...
It sounds like you provided a really intelligent and informed path to getting your daughter a good education. That is wonderful. My daughter came home from the third week of 6th grade and told me she would never go back. It was West Sylvan, supposedly the best public grammar school in Portland. She 'd been groped by a tall the grade boy. She was new, had gone to a private catholic school from K to 5th grade and we had a bad experience that last year with the new principal, this crazy guy from Gresham. I had her home schooled for middle school, 6-8th and she started at a good high school, later, but I had to listen to her. She came home that day, livid, because this brute grabbed her in the hall. That was her last day there. You want to protect them from bad experiences. I'm glad you were able to guide your daughter's education as well, because it sure is a challenge these days. I feel so sad for kids today. My daughter is in her middle 30s now.
That is correct and not just 4th but 8th grade as well. Lowest in reading and math. I love countering so-called progressives that attack Repub states education like MS, when Oregon, unfortunately, is actually ranked lower. What’s worse, before Carters unconstitutional DoE, union payoff (interesting here we’re talking another Dem payoff to union with this massive tax hike), OR was well ranked. Upper teens. We used to be taught the three Rs here.
Couple things to note:
The SEIU just started the union attack, smeared the signature-gathering for fraud; cue Machine apparatchiks Reed and Rayfield to start the dirty work.
The state's two leading media outlets--Oregonian and WillyWeek--have yet to say word one. Maybe the SEIU will get them off their preoccupation with ICE. At this point the story belongs to Pirate Media (including the one you're reading now).
GOD SAVE THE PIRATE MEDIA!!
Came to post. IG David Medina posted the letter. Millions and millions will be spent this next election. Odd isn’t it the the union is going against the truly most democratic process that can exist in the world, The People putting a decision on the ballot. Unbelievably undemocratic attack by a union. Do as I say not as I do. Mentality of so-called elites.
Impressive.
Our one-party state finally went three steps over the line.
Said vote is still a year off. And said one-party state always positions itself against Trump. And the tri-county consortium has long prevailed in determining the outcome. 🤞
there are still a few things that could go wrong: who certifies the signatures? who writes the measure? who writes the ballot title? and, just how many of the sheep in the Portland Metro area are beholden to the powers that be? Tina didn't get where she is without a lot of behind the scenes underhanded help.
You are very correct Mr. Lyon, many snakes in the grass.
This has been a very upbeat and non partisan signature gathering. Most tax increases passed by legislation or referendum are low key and couched in disarming 'it's only this much' language. HB 3991 is an in your face rip your wallet out of your hands strong arm move. Only the most left individuals appreciate this tactic.
My experiences in signature gathering thus far: It's been fun and uniting.
Most folks have sought out signing locations and many have a story to tell. It's not uncommon for people sharing their thoughts while signing. This referendum has sold itself, no persuasion has been required.
There are still those that are disengaged or too busy with life to know what HB 3991 is or what it does. Once informed people want to sign.
Ironically, quite a few times people have presented identification to sign. Some folks are surprised they don't need ID to sign.
I'll finish with the valid signatures and potential rejection by the SoS issue. If the signature verification is as loose for the signature sheets as it is for ballots, this referendum is a shoe in. If signatures need to be exactly as on a person's voter registration card the referendum may be in trouble. How many people know how they signed their registration card? Are all the signatories active voters? This shows the depth of problems with vote by mail, and centralized voter rolls. Will the same rule apply to rejected signatures for the referendum as for ballots? Will the county clerks send a letter requesting validation of address and signature to those rejected signatures? I surely doubt it.
Governor Kotax doesn't yet know the cans of worms she has opened. Blatant fiscal mis- management across the board. Disrespecting everyones demand for spending restraint. No concern for those already living on the edge of not having funds to pay for existing tax burdens, utilities, food and medical costs. Add to these issues the spotlight that will be shone on Oregon's broken voting system if thousands of voluntary signatures are rejected. That will reinforce the belief that a persons vote really doesn't matter, that they don't have a voice in Salem.
This referendum has become a win win for for Oregonians. Show up on presentation day in Salem, let the nation see that Oregon is still in the fight. https://notaxor.com/
If she tries anything underhanded, we will need to do a March to City Hall and protest. I'm serious. Me and a bunch of other old people. If there were enough people, it would make an impression...LOL...
It will be interesting to see if the Republican Party will capitalize on the anger towards Salem. Or do what they always do - miss an excellent opportunity to become relevant.
After the new gas tax is repealed, maybe we can get rid of the dealer opportunity fee, which is basically a tax on all new vehicles
Not basically it is a sales tax. Had the senator Sollman say it wasn’t to an me in the only in person meeting I had with her. If you buy something, and it’s taxed, it’s a sales tax no matter what you name it. Further, double taxation since our income was already taxed. And what’s worse, we voted multiple times no sales tax, but the Dem oligarchy went behind citizens backs. Issue is, it won’t be. One of those “minor” taxes that only hit occasionally so not enough outcry. However, I’m not going to be buying or registering an RV in Or, should I buy one.
This is in my opinion one of the greatest opportunities for Oregon to move to the center. The real challenge will be to tune out the TDS rhetoric and continue to focus on the real issues Oregon faces. We are at the bottom of the barrel in almost every meaningful measure as a state. Consistent calm focus is needed to turn this state around and the vote is our only real power.
Hey Jeff, or any informed person, does singing the petition early matter? I signed before her highness officially signed the Bill. Mostly formality, but with the bureaucracy we have in Salem etc, does the pre Gov bill sign off, petition signature date matter? Understand couldn’t be turned in before but signing paperwork before is the question? Thank you in advance. Side note, awesome job by the volunteers and groups. In the normal OR cold, wet weather, working the tables.
Good observation Randall. If you signed a sheet then the SoS had to have approved the referendum language, which is printed on the back of every signature sheet. I would guess that would make your signature valid.
You are correct, this money grubbing group in Salem will make every attempt to fail this effort.
Thank you for the update. Much appreciated
I agree that a statewide tax decision of this magnitude should go to the voters. The concern I have is that when it comes time for voters to decide on this issue, there’s no guarantee that the majority of voters will take into account how a YES vote or a NO vote will impact their everyday lives.
Sure, I understand folks don’t want to pay additional gas taxes, and road usage fees. I don’t want to pay them either. But not paying those fees also has consequences. It impacts all of us who use roads.
How many voters know how their vote will impact the cities and counties where they live? How many voters know that 50% of the ODOT state highway fund revenue generated from gas taxes and vehicle fees is given to cities and counties for them to maintain their own roads— 50% stays with ODOT, and 30% goes to the counties and 20% to cities.
I suggest you ask your local city or county official how much of their transportation maintenance funds rely on the state highway tax, and to what extent, your vote will impact their ability to resurface roads, plow and grade road surfaces, fill potholes, paint striping that wears off, replace damaged signage, etc..
I currently live in the city of Salem, our state capital. About 75% of Salem‘s transportation fund——which provides $$$ to clean up roads and encampments, repair sidewalks, paint crosswalks and fog lines, and fill potholes, etc.—-comes directly from the ODOT state highway tax. Without the increase, the city transportation fund will have a negative balance in a couple years because of constantly increasing costs for maintenance.
Dan Dorran, a Umatilla County Commissioner, was interviewed back in June and was asked how the current revenue from the state highway fund impacts Umatilla County. He said, “For Umatilla County, it means about a $7 [million] to $8 million budget for our roads.
Now in Umatilla County, we have basically 1,700 miles of road. A little over 300 miles are paved, the rest are gravel. We have over 300 bridges and another 300-plus culverts. All of those are maintained by the county. So we will use the state highway fund for everything from equipment, to gravel, to labor, to everything it takes to maintain and upgrade our road system.”
Anyone who has lived in a rural county (me included ) is likely familiar with the priorities of the county road maintenance system. if you live on a road that does not have a school bus route and you live way at the end of the road, chances are you better have the equipment to do your own snow plowing if you wanna get out of your driveway soon after a snowstorm in an emergency or to have a package delivered.
I’m not trying to tell anybody how they should vote, I’m only asking them to do a bit of research and be an informed voter before they make such a big decision. If the roads are not a priority for you then vote no.
Take THAT Tina, you b*tch!! LOL...