This is more of terminal arrogance of the dominant left wing of the Oregon Democratic Party.
They don't CARE what voters have said.
Oregon has the highest personal income tax in the nation, and if they could figure out how to levy a sales tax, they would.
Despite repeated votes on criminal justice issues over 20 years by voters, affirming the death penalty, truth in sentencing and "adult time for adult crime" the legislature has figured out ways to get around the will of those "silly, petulant voters."
This is fundamentally anti-democratic in the most profound way and is one reason for the emigration of more and more people from Oregon, a group I am joining later this year after spending my entire adult life in Oregon.
Technically the Dem oligarchy, don’t call them super majority call it what it truly is, an oligarchy, did set a sales tax. Go buy any major purchase and you will see the wonderfully named “privilege” tax. Sales Tax. Sure it’s small, but not when say buying a new car. And it is only going to increase. We pay sales tax on utilities, tickets to events, the sin taxes. Using PDX. And of course massive gas Sales Tax.
Sorry you are leaving Oregon. Unfortunately, a lot of the good ones are leaving and we are welcoming those that do not contribute to our state in a healthy way.
My husband & I moved to Molalla 3-1/2 years ago. I'm afraid it may not be far enough away from Portland. The taxes, like many are killing us. Not sure I can talk my husband into moving again. 😥
I just saw your post, My vision is deteriorating from glaucoma. I saw you are also leaving Oregon!? I am so sorry! I also loved Oregon with all my heart!
More classic aging machine politics...the question is always: what more can we extract from a rather poor, mostly rural state?
Or, short version: "The power to tax is the power to destroy," uttered by the first chief justice of the US Supreme Court. One of those old white guys progressives (mostly white) love to diss. Since the machine is run by progressives who are smarter than the rest of us--golly! they have college degrees!--it follows that the dopes really cannot be trusted with the terribly complicated business of running the government. Or having any say in decisions that will take money away from them so that it can be awarded to those more deserving. Or connected.
Hate to say it, but the progressives are right, at least about the "dopes" part. After all, they get re-elected ad infinitum, usually by throwing the pixie-dust of "abortion" or "our wonderful illegal immigrants" in the voters' faces. As for what's really going on down in Salem--mum's the word.
Wait until Trump and Doge cuts a bunch of NGO monies that come to Oregon! And being an antithesis of responsibility and accountability, Oregon may be one of the first to experience both very soon! But, the Dems will just crank the taxes even more.
The Oregon State Gov grift continues at micro and macro scale. There is officially never enough of other people's (taxpayer) money. It's a rocking horse winner all the way - Gamba, baby!
Wonder what MR Gamba's opinion is on Tina's latest executive order ODOT estimates to raise
infra- structure costs 20 % as a sop to her Union backers. I suspect it's just dandy with him; after all OPM and Virtue signaling. We are truly ruled by the Creme de la Creme
Even rats know when to leave a sinking ship. The left coast is the last bastion of woke, progressive leadership. It’s going to be a rough ride for a while, but I’m starting to have the smallest hope that there may be light at the end of the tunnel….
When the federal money dries up (and it will) and the uproar from the proposed taxes that are coming (along with some nationwide voting regulations) this will change IMO
The pendulum is swinging faster than I could have ever imagined not only in the USA but all over the world. The progressive left is be exposed at an alarming rate, the Left coast will not escape it. The world has had enough.
Child predators in our children's school they allow unfettered access to groom a d prey on our children 10 years reporting. Finally, St Helen's arrests and many more including politicians for child porn! Uggh! Oregon has the most sexual predators in the entire country! Oregon is filled with perps!
Gamba needs to take a look in the mirror. Why did his city need to triple its need for federal money during the short time that is under consideration? Plain and simple, that is as a result of excessive spending. He wants to tax everyone but the spandex mafia bikeriders. No sense in trying to talk to him. He probably has a slew of city planners and traffic engineer types who will say that the infrastructure needs are safety, modernization and "seismic" needs. Seen it elsewhere. Same playbook. Tired "progressive thinking".
Although legislators are expected to pursue the "public interest," they make decisions on how to use taxpayers' money, not their own. Look at the huge increase just for the city of Milwaukee over 8 years! There is no economic incentive to spend taxpayer money wisely, so typically the decisions are political like Biden's effusive IRA which just threw money at political favorites and resulted in inflation.
Gamba's sponsorship of bill SB 687 anti-democratic and anti-taxpayer, opens the door to bad management of our tax money, which is especially important given the fiscal inflation of the past few years. Has his staff completed an analysis of already funded projects which are not yielding anticipated results and could be de-funded? In the private sector, this is a constant decision in budgeting. What taxpayers demand is greater efficiency, lower overhead and re-prioritization with what you already collect. I sent these concerns to both Mark Gamba and Julie Fahey, however I do not expect a response...
Incredible! 😮 I wish I could say they deserve what they get...but then again ALL of us suffer when these folks are allowed to vote. Do you think the Dems will ever wake up? I'm guessing many of them will just move to another state and screw that one up! 😫
Joshua Marquis intimated! I hope you all forgive me i can't do much scrolling and following threads and conversations bc I now have glaucoma, severe dry eyes from lupus and cataracts. It's such a struggle for me now but I want to communicate with others!
This is more of terminal arrogance of the dominant left wing of the Oregon Democratic Party.
They don't CARE what voters have said.
Oregon has the highest personal income tax in the nation, and if they could figure out how to levy a sales tax, they would.
Despite repeated votes on criminal justice issues over 20 years by voters, affirming the death penalty, truth in sentencing and "adult time for adult crime" the legislature has figured out ways to get around the will of those "silly, petulant voters."
This is fundamentally anti-democratic in the most profound way and is one reason for the emigration of more and more people from Oregon, a group I am joining later this year after spending my entire adult life in Oregon.
And place last in nation for education.
Technically the Dem oligarchy, don’t call them super majority call it what it truly is, an oligarchy, did set a sales tax. Go buy any major purchase and you will see the wonderfully named “privilege” tax. Sales Tax. Sure it’s small, but not when say buying a new car. And it is only going to increase. We pay sales tax on utilities, tickets to events, the sin taxes. Using PDX. And of course massive gas Sales Tax.
Don't forget the gross receipts tax on business, which acts like a backdoor sales tax.
Congratulations on your decision Josh. We native Oregonians fled the state 8 years ago and never looked back.
I am very ambivalent about moving, and will miss a great deal about Oregon and many of the people in it, but not the cabal running the State Capitol.
Probably the best place to summer in the US; run by the corrupt, elected by the terminally stupid.
Obviously the fact that I still follow Oregon issues I also still have similar feellings.
Me also.
But you knew!
Sorry you are leaving Oregon. Unfortunately, a lot of the good ones are leaving and we are welcoming those that do not contribute to our state in a healthy way.
Thank you for your service
My husband & I moved to Molalla 3-1/2 years ago. I'm afraid it may not be far enough away from Portland. The taxes, like many are killing us. Not sure I can talk my husband into moving again. 😥
I just saw your post, My vision is deteriorating from glaucoma. I saw you are also leaving Oregon!? I am so sorry! I also loved Oregon with all my heart!
I don't see anyone else doing a damn thing except complain for years!
More classic aging machine politics...the question is always: what more can we extract from a rather poor, mostly rural state?
Or, short version: "The power to tax is the power to destroy," uttered by the first chief justice of the US Supreme Court. One of those old white guys progressives (mostly white) love to diss. Since the machine is run by progressives who are smarter than the rest of us--golly! they have college degrees!--it follows that the dopes really cannot be trusted with the terribly complicated business of running the government. Or having any say in decisions that will take money away from them so that it can be awarded to those more deserving. Or connected.
Hate to say it, but the progressives are right, at least about the "dopes" part. After all, they get re-elected ad infinitum, usually by throwing the pixie-dust of "abortion" or "our wonderful illegal immigrants" in the voters' faces. As for what's really going on down in Salem--mum's the word.
Multnomah County residents now have arguably the highest taxes in the nation and we are “petulant children” for not wanting more??? Say what?
don't be selfish, give until you're broke.
Wait until Trump and Doge cuts a bunch of NGO monies that come to Oregon! And being an antithesis of responsibility and accountability, Oregon may be one of the first to experience both very soon! But, the Dems will just crank the taxes even more.
that the rich kids in pacific palisades have discovered that their policies don't work, may be an awakening, but we can only hope.
Yes, ALL THE NGO'S WHO ARE ALSO INVOLVED IN CHILD TRAFFICKING LIKE MERCY CORP AND SOUTHWEST KEY! THEY ARE TOAST!! https://www.tucsonsentinel.com/nationworld/report/071924_southwest_key_abuse/feds-sue-southwest-key-migrant-shelters-over-severe-sexual-abuse-rape-children/
The Oregon State Gov grift continues at micro and macro scale. There is officially never enough of other people's (taxpayer) money. It's a rocking horse winner all the way - Gamba, baby!
Wonder what MR Gamba's opinion is on Tina's latest executive order ODOT estimates to raise
infra- structure costs 20 % as a sop to her Union backers. I suspect it's just dandy with him; after all OPM and Virtue signaling. We are truly ruled by the Creme de la Creme
Even rats know when to leave a sinking ship. The left coast is the last bastion of woke, progressive leadership. It’s going to be a rough ride for a while, but I’m starting to have the smallest hope that there may be light at the end of the tunnel….
Maybe so, but it's going to be a very long, convoluted tunnel.
When the federal money dries up (and it will) and the uproar from the proposed taxes that are coming (along with some nationwide voting regulations) this will change IMO
What’s giving you hope?
The pendulum is swinging faster than I could have ever imagined not only in the USA but all over the world. The progressive left is be exposed at an alarming rate, the Left coast will not escape it. The world has had enough.
Yeah but look at who Portland elected last election…it’s was a doubling down on far left progressive/Socialist politics.
Bring back Oregon's resource-based economies!
Mark Gamba's (D-Milwaukie)
says it all. GTFO MARK
This is what democrats vote for, a name calling privileged political hack, they call everyone names and people still vote for this scum! Unbelievable!
Child predators in our children's school they allow unfettered access to groom a d prey on our children 10 years reporting. Finally, St Helen's arrests and many more including politicians for child porn! Uggh! Oregon has the most sexual predators in the entire country! Oregon is filled with perps!
I didn't know that! That's horrible not to mention criminal! I wouldn't send my child to any public school. Mine are grown thank goodness!
Well, you should hear what my children and I have survived!
Everyone has a story I'm sure you probably went through a lot! I hope things are better ❤️🙏
Gamba needs to take a look in the mirror. Why did his city need to triple its need for federal money during the short time that is under consideration? Plain and simple, that is as a result of excessive spending. He wants to tax everyone but the spandex mafia bikeriders. No sense in trying to talk to him. He probably has a slew of city planners and traffic engineer types who will say that the infrastructure needs are safety, modernization and "seismic" needs. Seen it elsewhere. Same playbook. Tired "progressive thinking".
Kneel, peasant.
Although legislators are expected to pursue the "public interest," they make decisions on how to use taxpayers' money, not their own. Look at the huge increase just for the city of Milwaukee over 8 years! There is no economic incentive to spend taxpayer money wisely, so typically the decisions are political like Biden's effusive IRA which just threw money at political favorites and resulted in inflation.
Gamba's sponsorship of bill SB 687 anti-democratic and anti-taxpayer, opens the door to bad management of our tax money, which is especially important given the fiscal inflation of the past few years. Has his staff completed an analysis of already funded projects which are not yielding anticipated results and could be de-funded? In the private sector, this is a constant decision in budgeting. What taxpayers demand is greater efficiency, lower overhead and re-prioritization with what you already collect. I sent these concerns to both Mark Gamba and Julie Fahey, however I do not expect a response...
“ Eat bugs and be happy “ - thinking
Incredible! 😮 I wish I could say they deserve what they get...but then again ALL of us suffer when these folks are allowed to vote. Do you think the Dems will ever wake up? I'm guessing many of them will just move to another state and screw that one up! 😫
I just saw you are moving out of Oregon! I am so sorry!
Me? Nope.
Joshua Marquis intimated! I hope you all forgive me i can't do much scrolling and following threads and conversations bc I now have glaucoma, severe dry eyes from lupus and cataracts. It's such a struggle for me now but I want to communicate with others!