ORP Delegates Vote to Oppose Tax Plan
NEWS RELEASE: September 26, 2003
CONTACT: Amy Casterline - 503.587.9233, amy@orgop.org
(Salem) In a landslide vote taken by members of the Oregon Republican Party Central Committee, delegates from all over the state voted 86 to 6 in opposition to the billion dollar tax increase recently passed by the Legislature. “This vote sends a strong message to the Governor and lawmakers that Oregonians are not going to stand for more taxes , especially during a recession,” said ORP Chair Kevin Mannix after the results were announced today.
Ballots were sent out earlier this month asking delegates this question: “Shall the Oregon Republican Party Central Committee oppose adoption of the tax increase contained in HB 2152?” Mannix has been promoting the referendum to give taxpayers a chance to vote on the largest tax increase in Oregon history because as he put it, “the political elitists don't want people to exercise their democratic right, and I want to make sure Oregonians have a voice in the process. ”
In August, the Central Committee voted unanimously in support of a resolution urging legislators to hold the line on taxes. The resolution read in part, “ We recognize less revenue demands less spending . We further maintain that excessive taxation can be detrimental to economic development.”
Hundreds of grassroots Republican volunteers have been out collecting signatures in their neighborhoods over the past few weeks. Mannix is encouraged by the groundswell of support for the referendum which is, “motivating folks to get involved and do something to show their frustration with the Legislature and the Governor.”
Referendum organizers have until November 25th to gather around 50,000 signatures.
The Party joins several other organizations throughout the state working on the referendum.
Mannix is very excited about working with the Taxpayer Defense Fund , led by Russ Walker of Citizens for a Sound Economy. “Russ and his team have done a great job putting together this campaign, the ORP will do all we can to help them.” As the group spearheading the campaign, they have now established a new web site and toll free phone number to provide more information. www.stoporegontax.com, 1-888-NO-ON-TAX.
The Taxpayers Association of Oregon has also been actively involved in the referendum. They can be reached at www.oregonwatchdog.com 503.603.9009.
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