Opinion
4A
Saturday, May 29, 2021
OUR VIEW
State goes for
money grab
T
he state of Oregon’s revenue picture is
nothing short of stunning. It could be
bulging with $1.8 billion more in its two-
year budget than it had expected in February.
Income taxes surged.
The state budget picture was already looking a
rosy shade of rosy before the most recent budget
projection. The $2.6 billion from the American
Rescue Plan Act was going to fi ll what had been
anticipated to be a $1.3 billion budget gap.
Then earlier this week, in the Senate Com-
mittee on Finance and Revenue, a proposed
amendment was dropped that was no less remark-
able. It aimed to grab more revenue. From busi-
nesses. When Congress did not intend the money
to be taxed.
Which legislator or legislators proposed is not
disclosed on the amendment. That is not sur-
prising. It’s an all too common practice of legisla-
tive secrecy, preventing voters from being able to
hold legislators accountable.
The amendment proposes to tax forgiven Pay-
check Protection Act loans. The amendment
would exempt the fi rst $100,000 in loan for-
giveness. Full disclosure: The Observer and EO
Media Group benefi tted from a PPP loan.
Remember, Congress passed the PPP to help
businesses in desperate pandemic times. It helped
prevent the country from dipping into a horrible
recession. And despite that help, many businesses
still went under. Many employees were let go.
Now the state of Oregon plans to go after those
dollars even when the state budget is bulging with
billions?
Congress did not intend that the PPP loans
would be taxed as income when they were used
as intended. The money is not needed by the
state. Do legislators need more reason than that to
let the amendment die?
Stepping back into a familiar role
ANDREW
CUTLER
FROM THE EDITOR’S DESK
OUR VIEW
Election Day deadline
is not complicated
C
lose to the date of an election it can
be a gamble to mail in your ballot. A
week ahead is probably safe to ensure
it is delivered on time to be counted. Beyond
that, it’s a guessing game. Safer to drop it off in
person.
House Bill 3291 would provide more certainty
for voters. If your ballot is postmarked by Elec-
tion Day and arrives no later than seven days
after Election Day, it gets counted.
The bill has passed the Oregon House largely
along party lines. The bill now moves to the
Senate.
Some voted against the bill in the House,
concerned it might cause complications. Some
mailed ballots are not postmarked and at least
some county clerks would have to get a scanner
to check barcodes.
They’re right. That will create some issues.
But we believe county clerks can sort it out,
ensure more ballots are properly counted and
voters will have a bit more clarity.
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T
his week, I stepped back
into a familiar role at The
Observer to fi ll in as the
interim editor.
I cannot say that I am disap-
pointed. In fact, the opportu-
nity to return to a place where I
spent fi ve years — fi rst as editor
and then publisher — was one I
relished.
As many readers may already
know, I am the publisher/editor
of the East Oregonian and the
regional editorial director of
the EO Media Group’s east-
side publications. At fi rst glance
that is a lot of hats, but I really
enjoy all the diff erent ways I get
to contribute as part of a great
organization.
The Observer has undergone
several changes since I fi rst
sat in the editor’s chair back in
November 2012. Then, I was
eager to take on what I saw as
a fantastic but solemn respon-
sibility — continue to provide
a solid news source for The
Observer readers.
Since joining EO Media
Group in 2019, I have fi lled a
few roles in the company, but
my focus on the reader has
remained.
I am pleased that I can help
in a short-term basis at The
Observer. The former editor,
Phil Wright, left a solid foun-
dation. Wright stepped into the
news editor position at the East
Oregonian, and I am glad he is
on board. His experience and
news values are second to none,
and I know he will make a real
diff erence for the company in
his new position.
Returning to The Observer
is nice in several ways. For one,
I get to return to a publication
CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES
U.S. PRESIDENT
Joe Biden
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Comments: 202-456-1111
U.S. SENATORS
Ron Wyden
221 Dirksen Senate Offi ce Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510
202-224-5244
La Grande offi ce: 541-962-7691
Cliff Bentz
2185 Rayburn House Offi ce Building
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-6730
Medford offi ce: 541-776-4646
REPRESENTATIVE
SENATOR
Kate Brown
160 State Capitol
900 Court Street
Salem, OR 97301-4047
503-378-4582
Bobby Levy, District 58
900 Court St. NE, H-376
Salem, OR 97301
503-986-1458
Rep.BobbyLevy@state.or.us
Bill Hansell, District 29
900 Court St. NE, S-415
Salem, OR 97301
503-986-1729
Sen.BillHansell@state.or.us
STAFF
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that holds a very special place
in my heart. My tenure as editor
was one where I learned a great
deal and I have been able to use
those skills as the publisher of
the East Oregonian.
Some of my best professional
memories revolve around my
time at The Observer.
In a sense, I am not really
“coming back” to The Observer.
I’ve kept my fi nger on the pulse
of The Observer since I left at
the end of 2017. And as part of
EO Media Group, I have worked
closely with The Observer since
it was purchased out of bank-
ruptcy in 2019. So, while it is a
“return” in one sense, I am also
fortunate that I know the terrain,
so to speak, and want to help out
as much as possible until we can
fi nd someone to fi ll Wright’s slot
on a full-time basis.
The Observer has a lot to
off er readers, and I am excited to
be able to help keep that going.
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