Oregon Student Lobby backing sales tax proposal By Lisa Kneefel Emerald Associate Editor The Oregon Student Lobby on Wednes day endorsed a sales tax proposal package that was introduced earlier this year by Rep. Tony Van Vliet, R-Corvallls. At a news conference in the Capitol Press Room, OSL representatives explained the organization's decision to support House Joint Resolution 4 and relat ed House Bills 2393 and 2394. Brad Fields. Oregon State University Student Body President and OSL Board Chairman, said Van Vliet’s plan seems most politically viable. "After reviewing plans and analyzing polls regarding a sales tax and tax reform we decided to support (House Joint Res olution) 4." Fields said. "We feel it is one of the better tax plans structurally, and it might have a chance of passing." Brian Clem, state affairs task force direc tor for ASUO and OSL board member, said OSL's members believed singling out a tax plan to support would be much more effec tive than demanding tax reform in gener al. “We felt that it was important to get a specific tax plan that’s tangible so that we can get some accountability in the Legis lature." Clem said. If passed by the Oregon Legislature. House Joint Resolution 4 would impose a privilege tax on sales or use of tangible personal property beginning Jan. 1.1994. No percentage for the tax has been pro posed If the tax is adopted, the determined rate would be written into the state Con stitution where it could be changed only by voters. Revenue generated by the sales tax would replace property taxes for public schools and community colleges lost to 1990’s Measure 5. It would also provide funds to match federal dollars for the Ore gon Health Plan. Food, housing, some utilities, prescrip tion medications, real property and intan gibles (such as services) would be exempt from the tax. Refunds would be available for sales tax paid by lower income indi viduals. State personal income tax rales would be reduced with adoption of the sales tax. and local sales taxes would be prohibited Related House Bill 2393 would reduce the state personal income lax to distribute the tax burden fairly and House Bill 2394 would provide the implementing legisla tion for establishing the sales lax. Because it would amend the Oregon Constitution, the privilege tax would be referred to voters at the general election in 1996. If not approved by voters, the tax would be discontinued. According to an explanation of the tax package issued by Van Vliet's office, state personal income tax rales would be reduced by 11 percent or more with imple mentation of the plan. The decision to support Van Vliet's plan was based on results from a survey con ducted jointly by the Nelson Report. TH Research and Moore Information. Clem said. The survey found that 45 percent of Ore gon registered voters would support a sales tax dedicated to funding education if accompanied by a reduction in state per sonal income taxes and immediate imple mentation of property tax relief. The sales tax rate would have to fall between 5 per cent and 3.5 percent, and a "sunset clause" providing for a re-vote would have to In* included. Van Vliet 's package includes all of those We feel H Is one of the better tmx plane structurally, and It might have a chance of passing Brad Fields. OSL board chairman elements. Clem said. making it more viable for support. Clem said OSL. which is a coalition of state college and university student lead ers that lobbies for higher education issues, has been reluctant to endorse past sales tax proposal* because thoy were regres sive "Van Vliefs (plan) eliminates some of the regress!voltes* because it reduces the income tax code by t percent." Clem said. Mouse Joint Resolution 4 was introduced Jan. iit and was subsequently referred to the Mouse Revenue and School Finance Committee. or ‘[hr Ijtoflraphy of yearning University Theatre \ Presents A Play by Eric Overmeyer Robinson Theatre ( February 19, ^ 20,25-27, : March 5, 6 8 p.m Box Office 346-4191 Large 14” Pepperoni Pizza plus a 16oz drink AA I per coupon, expires 3/9/93. Ljl m For Delivery Only m Limited Delivery Area m THE PIZZA ANSWER ,£ 687-8600 ( •JPValua • Quality • Sarvica EUGENE JAZZ FESTIVAL MARCH 11-13 JAN GARBARIK GROUP THURSDAY, MARCH 11 8 PM "H Garborok's work is ioskpod to mW a skivor down tho spkto it Uos so ploasorokly." Europe's ground breaking Gorboiei is Inspired by 'North and noture, song and mystery' Catch him tn Eugene with longtime cottoborotor Eberhard Weber lhe« wistful. ECM recordings hove fitted o soul hunger in forts around the work) COUNT BASIE ORCHESTRA FRIDAY, MARCH 12 8 PM "As fcMfalfs to Wrifloy fhU omJAmorka, tho Comt Mo Orthostra h to biybmodjoii md tho worU." The baffwik) soot of Komm City, home of the heortfond bkies. shli swings hold in l omit 8os« s bond Old