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Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, February 3, 2010
OSU researcher finds Oregon tax burden lower than most states
A new study by an Ore-
gon State University econo-
mist comparing Oregon's
taxes with national averages
has found that taxes are lower
in Oregon than in most states,
and so are some public ser-
vices.
Even with passage of
Measures 66 and 67, Oregon
state taxes will be lower than
the national average, accord-
ing to the report.
In the study, OSU Exten-
sion Service economist Wil-
liam Jaeger compared tax
data in Oregon with all other
states during a period of 17
years. Jaeger compared total
state taxes to total personal
income for each state to re-
veal how much of people’s
income is paid in state taxes.
His data show that as a
percentage of personal in-
come, state taxes maintain a
fairly steady level of about
6.4 percent nationwide, dip-
ping a bit lower during peri-
ods of recession.
Oregon’s taxes follow a
similar trend, but at a lower
level, averaging 6.0 percent
of personal income. And the
nationwide dips in tax reve-
nue during the current and
previous recessions show
even deeper reductions in
Oregon.
Oregon is ranked 44th in
the nation in terms of taxes as
a percentage of personal in-
come. Taxes in neighboring
Washington (ranked 30th)
and California (ranked 15th)
claim a larger proportion of
personal income.
Oregon’s local taxes are
also lower than in most states:
3.75 percent of personal in-
come vs. the national average
of 4.34 percent.
Oregon’s business taxes
also are low, ranked 48th out
of 50 states, according to a
study conducted for the
Council on State Taxation, a
nonprofit trade association
consisting of more than 600
multistate corporations en-
gaged in interstate and inter-
national business.
Jaeger compared the
level of state taxes with the
level of some government
services. In terms of student/
teacher ratios — a compara-
tive indicator for K-12 public
education — Oregon ranks
49th out of 50.
Other indicators suggest
similar declines in public
safety and higher education.
The report notes that average
educational levels are declin-
ing in Oregon: 28.8 percent
of younger Oregonians have
college degrees compared to
33.4 percent of older Orego-
nians. This downward trend is
opposite to the rising levels of
education in most other states
and countries.
The study provides data
relevant to two coming ballot
measures. Measure 66 raises
taxes on households earning
more than $250,000 a year;
Measure 67 raises corporate
income taxes.
Barriers to ‘fair’ housing examined
Oregon Housing & Com-
munity Services (OHCS) and
Oregon Business Develop-
ment Dept. (OBDD) recently
initiated an electronic survey
to gather information from
the public about barriers to
fair housing choices.
Every five years, the
agencies develop a state
Analysis of Impediments to
Fair Housing Choice. Under
fair housing law, states that
receive federal housing dol-
lars must actively work to
eliminate housing discrimina-
tion based on race, color, na-
tional origin, religion, gender,
familial status or disability.
Said OHCS Director
Victor Merced, “The infor-
mation we gather will help us
achieve our vision that all
Oregonians have access to the
housing and services that
meet their needs.”
He encouraged wide
participation in the survey,
which is available online at
www.ohcs.oregon.gov.
Survey responses are
anonymous.
The results of the survey
will help OHCS and OBDD
create an action plan to elimi-
nate housing discrimination
and expand equal housing
opportunities. The plan will
address all aspects of fair
housing, including emer-
gency shelter and transitional
housing, rental and real estate
sales transactions, lending,
advertising, and any treat-
ment or policies adversely
affecting access to housing
programs.
Besides the survey, state
agencies must conduct a com-
prehensive review of laws,
rules, policies and practices,
and how they affect the loca-
tion, availability, and accessi-
bility of housing. Also how
conditions, private and pub-
lic, affect fair housing choice.
The results will allow policy
makers to target education of
property owners, draft new
state policies, and allocate
resources where the barriers
are the greatest.
“Participation in the sur-
vey only takes a few min-
utes,” said Merced.
‘Participants will help us lo-
cate those parts of the state
where barriers to fair housing
are most prevalent.”
The study posed two
questions related to the choice
voters will face in January.
First, in a recession, is it bet-
ter for state governments to
cut spending or raise taxes?
In his study, Jaeger
quoted Nobel Prize winner
Joseph Stiglitz of Columbia
University and Peter Orzag,
then-director of the Congres-
sional Budget Office, who
wrote: “Tax increases on
higher-income families are
the least damaging mecha-
nism for closing state fiscal
deficits in the short run.”
“Stiglitz and others con-
clude that cutting social ser-
vices further harms those al-
believe that these tax increases
on the wealthiest sector would
make Oregon less competi-
tive,” Jaeger said. “Oregon’s
taxes are significantly below
national average, and they
would remain below average
even with the passage of
Measures 66 and 67.”
A summary of findings
and several graphs illustrating
Oregon and national trends in
state taxes can be found with
the full report, “Perspectives
on Oregon’s Taxes-an eco-
nomic look at Measures 66
and 67,” at: ir.library.oregon
state.edu/jspui/bitstream
/1957/13620/1/em8997.pdf
ready hurt by the recession,
while a tax increase on high-
income groups affects only
those who are doing well dur-
ing a recession,” Jaeger said.
The second question is
whether these tax increases
would harm or help Oregon’s
growth and competitiveness
in the long run.
The study cites a survey
of dozens of scholarly, peer-
reviewed economic studies
and concludes that increases
in taxes, when used to expand
the quality of public services,
can promote economic devel-
opment and growth in em-
ployment.
“There is no reason to
Some may qualify for health coverage
The Oregon Dept. of
Human Services (DHS) and
the Oregon Health Authority
(OHA) are spreading the
word to low-income Orego-
nians that they have an oppor-
tunity for health care.
The 2009 Legislature
provided funding for cover-
age for an additional 35,000
low-income Oregon adults
through the Oregon Health
Plan (OHP). However, DHS
estimates that there are ap-
proximately 140,000 Orego-
nians whose incomes would
qualify them.
To ensure everyone
qualified has an equal oppor-
tunity for the coverage, state
health workers are trying to
reach as many people as pos-
sible to let them know it is
available. Anyone who con-
tacts the state will be added to
the OHP reservation list,
which will be the source of
monthly drawings for health
care coverage.
People who qualify,
based on income status and
other factors, will be able to
join the OHP Standard insur-
ance coverage.
“Everyone without health
insurance is at greater risk for
serious disease because of de-
layed treatment or lack of pre-
ventive care, which is a tragedy
for them and a greater cost to
society,” said Dr. Bruce Gold-
berg, director of DHS and the
OHA. “Today we have the
opportunity to lessen that bur-
den, but we have to make sure
everyone who qualifies has an
equal chance,”
DHS has set up a Web-
site and toll-free number for
people to add their names to
the reservation list. The
agency is working with
health-care providers in com-
munities to help spread the
word about the available
health-care coverage.
To add your name to the
list, go to www.oregon.gov/
DHS/open or phone 1-800-
699-9075. You can also go to
a Dept. of Human Services
office to request a reservation
packet. County health depart-
ments, most hospitals and
health-care clinics also have
reservation packets.
Drawings will be held on
a regular basis until all funded
health-care coverage is filled.
Once a person’s name is
drawn, he or she will be sent
an application packet to apply
for the health plan.
Eligibility is based on
strict income limits of less
than the federal poverty level,
which is based on the number
of people in a household. For
example, the limit is $903 for
an individual or $1,526 for a
family of three.
The Oregon Health Plan
is part of the new Oregon
Health Authority. It is the
central location for publicly
purchased health care in Ore-
gon, including Oregon Health
Plan and coverage for teach-
ers or public employees. The
OHA mission is to lower
costs for everyone in the
health-care system while in-
creasing access to care and
improving the quality of care.
As part of the reform efforts,
the 2009 Legislature also
passed health-care funding
for all Oregon children.
OHP Standard covers
physician services, prescrip-
tion drugs, mental health and
chemical dependency treat-
ment, emergency medical
services and limited dental,
hospital and vision services.
After initial placement, the ad will continue to run
and the customer will be billed. The customer must
contact Illinois Valley News to remove the ad.
Health & Well-Being (cont.)
Landscape & Yard Care
Traditional Chinese Medicine
HARMONY GARDENS
Louisa Suta, L.Ac.
Acupuncture
Herbal Medicine
Therapeutic Bodywork
(541) 415-0250
Landscape Construction & Watergardens
Ron & Ann Padgett
www.CreatingYourGarden.com
541-476-0137/592-4678 Licensed, Bonded, Insured - LCB #6076
Services
OLD STAGE MINI STORAGE
Professional Seamstress
Alterations, Hemming & Mending
Fast Service, Affordable Prices
Licensed Massage Therapist, OBMT #9280
541.592.6190
massagetherapy@cavenet.com
www.poweroftouch.weebly.com
Home Decor
HOMETOWNE INTERIORS
CARPET * VINYL * LAMINATE
Carol McBride Garden Design
541-592 - 6785
Landscape design & Consulting
Livestock
Affordable Alpacas
for fun and profit
30088 Redwood Hwy.
St art ing at $500
Local shearing service/ support
(541) 592-2413
Phone Christ ine 5 4 1 - 4 1 5 - 2 6 1 4
Instruction
www.suri- fut ures.com
Nurseries
Beginning Tap Dance
(541) 592 - 4204
1-4-U RV Repair
We come to U
Mini Storage
25 years experience
RVIA / RVDA Master Cert
Oregon Reg. #569617-91
2567 Redwood Hwy., Cave Junction, OR 97523
14urvrepair@gmail.com
Jeff Claflin
541-592-6855
541-592-9905
Rose of Sharon Occasions
SELMA MINI STORAGE
Floral Design • Formal Wear • Event Planning
118 Hogue Drive
Selma, OR 97538
541-592-4948
541-597-2336
CALL FOR PRICES
www.cavejunctionflowers.com
“the rose of Sharon,
the lily of the valley”
202 N. Redwood Hwy., PO Box 2661
Cave Junction, OR 97523
(800) 922-1025
(541) 479-5335
Payments can be
deposited at
Cave Junction
City Hall
Sheet Metal Fabrication
for Adults and Seniors
Gates open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. - 7 days a week
On-site manager - Reasonable Rates - Secure
181 S. Old Stage Road
(541) 592-5364
9335 Takilma Road, Cave Junction
Tina Haemmerlein
Storage
UNITS AVAILABLE - VARIOUS SIZES
Outside Storage for RVs, Boats & Trailers
Econo Mini Storage
Also RV & Boat Storage
Now Open
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Phone for pricing
541-592-2427
29910 Redwood Hwy.
3-1/2 miles South of CJ
Title & Escrow Service
classes are ongoing
First American Title
Classes 3 days a week: Tues 10 am, Thurs 2 and 3 pm, Sat 10 am
Phone Suzanne to register 541-592-5082
(541) 592-5386
1/4 mile south of Cave Junction
Insurance
Rock & Gravel
Immanuel United Methodist Church - 200 Watkins St., C.J.
Linda Sallman Insurance
Independent Ins. Agent
128 S. Redwood Hwy.
Cave Junction, OR 97523
1.541.592.6590
Jewelers
Yanase Jewelers
(541) 592-4838
Mon. thru Fri.
8 AM to 5 PM
Ranch Rock
(541) 592-3382
3/4 Minus * Sand: 1/4” to 3/4” crushed
Drain Rock * Base Rock * Dry Top Soil
Senior Living
Independent Living for 55 & over!
Rental with no buy-in!
Call 541-955-0777 for a tour!
www.yanasejewelers.com
Custom Designs * Gold/Silversmith
Remounts & Stone Setting * Quality Repairs
Watch Batteries * Stock of Gems * Finished Jewelry
Insurance Company of Oregon
Monday - Friday 10am - 5pm
3098 University Rd. • www.horizonvillage.com
5 4 1 -5 9 2 -3 3 9 1 / 5 4 1 -7 8 7 -7 7 8 2
License #94699
Crossword Solution
Complete Title & Escrow Service
1031 Tax Deferred Exchange
210 W. Lister St., Cave Junction
592-2131
Sudoku Solution