We believe that Oregon’s ongoing prosperity is tied directly to the strength of the middle class and providing real economic opportunities for all Oregonians. We believe that sustaining and investing in state infrastructure will strengthen our business environment.
We hold the following statements to be true:
Taxes are necessary to meet our common goals as a society.
- Oregon needs stable and consistent sources of tax revenue.
- Oregon needs a tax structure that better addresses the increasing gap between wealthy Oregonians, and the middle class and the poor.
Taxes fund the infrastructure that allows our local businesses and our overall economy to prosper. This includes:
- The promise of a strong education system, which is essential to opportunity and competitiveness in the global economy.
- Physical infrastructure that ensures real economic development.
The most equitable and effective tax system is one that is based on the ability to pay.
- Tax breaks for wealthy corporations and individuals diminish needed tax revenue and are not effective in strengthening the economy.
- A strong middle class is fundamental to economic growth.
We do not consider all government spending to be untouchable. We support efforts to cut spending on wasteful or inefficient programs. As business people we try to look at policies and spending pragmatically and rationally. If the benefits to the general public or society are not greater than the costs then they need to be ended or modified.
However, government investments that support a strong middle class — in particular, public education — have suffered terribly as a result of unrestrained tax cuts. Because a strong middle class is fundamental to Oregon’s economic growth, important and responsible government investments should be preserved through tax policy reform.
These statements are the foundation of our support for strong, proactive tax policy changes that will support critical infrastructure and maintain Oregon’s competitive business climate. By signing this document, we acknowledge our role as an active participant in building a future that is prosperous for all Oregonians.
Who We Are
Anna Geller, Real Estate & Community Development
Bill Dickey, Owner-Print & Mail Shop
Brendan Barnicle, Investor (Co-Chair)
Christine Vernier, Software/Technology
Dan Skerritt, Attorney/Litigation
Dana Smith, Architecture/Design Firm
David Gold, Investment/Developer
David Vernier, Software/Technology
Jim Gilbert, Founder of Nursery
Jim McDermott, Attorney/Business Litigation
John Calhoun, Entrepreneur (Co-Chair)
Ken Lewis, Retired – President of Shipping Company
Mac Prichard, Founder/Principal Public Relations Agency
Mitch Rofsky, President of Auto Club
Richard B. Solomon, CPA
Robert Harris, Attorney
Robert Stoll, Lawyer
Roger Johnson, Money Manager/Investor
Ted Gilbert, Investor/Real Estate Developer
Terry Bean, Real Estate Investor/Developer
Important Points (That Are Often Misunderstood)
- Long-term economic development is dependent on strong infrastructure, especially education and transportation. Taxes are needed to pay for these priorities.
- We are not a high-tax state. In 2011, a corporate-funded study found Oregon to have the nation’s second-lowest “effective business tax rate” for new investments. Our biggest economic competitors are states with higher business taxes.
- With the possible exception of some targeted tax subsidies, marginal tax rates have no role in location decisions made by businesses. Business formation and job growth are simply not a function of marginal tax rates.
- Oregon has had better than average growth over the past decade and after a hard recession is growing faster than most states. Two of Oregon’s largest competitors for business, Silicon Valley (CA) and Seattle (WA), have often cited strong infrastructure as a core reason for business growth. We must continue to invest and expand our infrastructure to remain competitive.
- Many businesses and business leaders choose to move to Oregon because of our unique quality of life. However, continued budget cuts are threatening Oregon’s image, and our reputation is suffering. We believe the state needs to make robust investments in our schools, universities, environmental protection, and public safety.
More Info
For more information, please email info@equityallianceoregon.com