Enviro Groups Join The Fight For Measures 66 and 67

So far I’ve managed to avoid writing about Measures 66 and 67, the two tax raising measures that voters will decide in January’s special election. It’s not that I don’t think these issues are important, but rather I never saw a connection to my reporting on environmental news.

Until now.

The Oregon Conservation Network, representing some 40 environmental groups across the state, announced today it’s joining the battle to pass both measures. It says they’re needed to protect state investments in clean, renewable energy.

Briefly, Measure 66 raises income taxes on families and couples earning more than $250,000 a year, and on individuals earning more than $125,000. It also cuts taxes for people who received unemployment benefits.

Measure 67 raises certain business taxes. First, the minimum tax increases from $10 to $150 per year on smaller businesses. It also creates a .01% minimum on companies with more than $500,000 in Oregon revenues. Finally, it increases taxes on businesses earning more than $250,000 per year.

Here’s a quote from today’s announcement. If these measures fail the group warns of, “Dramatic cuts to climate change measures, coastal and marine protections, clean air & water monitoring, land use planning, food safety and forest fire protection.”

Other than that, the group offers few details to explain their position.  But it also promises that more info is coming.

In one way, their argument makes some sense. Take the case of the Business Energy Tax Credit, or BETC. As reported in the Oregonian, the cost of this program has skyrocketed and could deprive the state of $167 million in lost tax revenues during the current two year budget cycle.

The Oregon Energy Department is working to bring down the costs and curb abuses of the program. But despite BETC’s numerous faults, it has played an important role in creating green businesses in the state. If Measures 66 and 67 fail, the pressure to cut BETC further could intensify. Then you again you could make the same case for any number of state programs.

You can read all of today’s announcement on the Oregon League of Conservation Voters blog. The OLCV will coordinate the political campaign in favor of the two measures.

You can also read the ballot titles, statements explaining what they mean, and reports on their costs on the Secretary of State’s OregonVotes.org website.

Tags: measure 66, measure 67, oregon conservation network, oregon league of conservation voters