Oregon: Democratic leaders back off "yes is no" change

NOTE: LIGHTING UP THE SWITCHBOARD WORKS! :-)
Posted by Jeff Mapes, The Oregonian June 29, 2009 11:21AM - Democratic legislative leaders on Monday dropped their attempt to reverse the meaning of a "yes" and a "no" vote on two tax increases that may go before voters early next year. ∴ Lawmakers backed off after several of them were besieged with a number of calls from constituents complaining about the proposed change, which many critics saw as an attempt to boost the chances that the two tax measures would survive a ballot referendum.

"It's become obviously controversial at this point," said Senate Majority Leader Richard Devlin, D-Tualatin, "so we decided to just go with current law."

This means that if the two tax hikes go before voters next January, voters will have to vote "yes" to uphold the tax hikes. A "no" vote would mean the tax increases would be rejected.

A coalition of business groups has formed to collect the 55,179 valid signatures needed to refer each of the measures to the ballot.


Mark Nelson, a lobbyist running the campaign to refer the two ballot measures, said legislators pulled back "after voters rebelled. The rank and file just lit up this building."

Devlin and House Majority Leader Mary Nolan, D-Portland, both argued that reversing the meaning of a yes or a no vote on referendums would have made the issue clearer for voters. If voters want to reject the Legislature's handiwork, they said, they should have to vote yes.

However, ballot measure experts say it is easier to persuade citizens to vote on a ballot measure than to vote yes. So both supporters and opponents of the tax hikes had a stake in wanting to be on the side pushing a no vote.

The two taxes approved by the Legislature raise corporate and personal income taxes by $733 million in the next budget cycle. One would raise taxes for individuals with a taxable income of more than $125,000 or joint filers with a taxable income of more than $250,000. the other would raise the corporate income tax minimum and also increase the rate.

Legislators struck the "yes is no" language out of House Bill 2414. It still contains a provision that sets a Jan. 26 election date if opponents of the tax increases obtain enough signatures to put the issue before voters.

Kevin Hoar sent this message to the members of Oregon Republican Party

See names of Democrat legislators who supported "yes is no" HERE