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About Street roots. (Portland, OR) 1998-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 13, 2009)
12 ' va » Oregon one few states to tax families below poverty line BY CASSANDRA KOLSEN C O N T R IB U T IN G W R IT E R Z \ I V-X 1 regon’s income tax system has been found to be one of the nation’s least favorable for low-income families by the Washington, D.C.-based Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Among only 16 states to impose income tax on two- - parent families of four living at or below the federal poverty line, Oregon also boasts the second highest income tax bills for families earning just above i t The federal poverty line in 2008 was $17,165 for a single-parent of two dependant children, and $22,017 for a two-parent family of four. However, the CBPP report released Nov. 4 states that in Oregon income tax liability begins at $16,000 for a family of three, and $18,900 for a family of four, when estimated to the nearest $100. While the single-parent family of three owed $96, the family of four at the lowest possible income tax threshold owed $311. “By taxing people who are in poverty we are working against efforts to support self- . sufficiency,” says Joy Margheim, policy analyst for the Oregon Center for Public Policy. “It makes it that much harder to get Weep for the Concrete Angel By Sherry Asbury ahead, because these families are incurring expenses as they try to work towards providing food, transportation, childcare and other basic needs.” Families keeping themselves just above the poverty line also face higher income taxes in Oregon than most states. A family c of four earning 125 percent of the poverty ¿nè, or $27,521, owed $875 in 2008; a single-parent family of three making $21,456 owed $529. . The Oregon Center for Public Policy released a report last month explaining two measures enacted by the state legislature that attempt to create new tax revenue arid address the ability of taxpayers to pay the taxes. The measures, which go to popular vote in January, will create $733 million dollars in new revenue. Currently the highest-income Oregonians pay the lowest percentage of their income to state and local taxes, a gap Measures 66 and 67 will begin to narrow by slightly increasing the amount the wealthiest Oregonians will be taxed. Even with the measures, the report states, those in the top one perecent will still pay the smallest share of income taxes. She found a pair of mittens * matted to the bottorii of a dumpster; pulled them on to hide the running sores asshe lifted a bird-like hand to beg. Cold worked its way through her like fire, sizzling nerve endings and bringing a flow of snot down over her mouth, .which was gasping, gaping with the difficulty she found in breathing the formidable night air, steam puffing like a two pack a day smoker on a final binge. Her eyes were nearly crusted shut. She was hungry; had been for days. Needed a fix, but no one wanted to fuck her for a hit; her eyes restlessly roving over the putrid concrete, hoping to find a little ro c k . . . a little rock just for her. Cops found her at 3:00 AM, hands folded as if in worship of her tiny concrete world. NORMAL : . , - L O O 'I C i N ® F O A fttkj B A docum entary film by Brian Lindstrom jSSSjfil ^ g about Central City Concern's AFFORDABLE PLACE TO RENT? Mentor Program Your o n lin e housing search ju st g o t easier. W 0 ' à - /sT^ " > / ' .y Z *3 r i Thousands o f listings • Free service Includes special needs housing tS j EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY Can 2-1-1 or 503-802-8562 ------- -— ------------------------------------- - Buy it now on DVD www.findingn0rmal.org M B ■ fc ins ä ■ -- - I Special exhibit on view through January 10 Save. ■ B i M jjjj| Mother Nature’s »M M Earth Friendly Baby Products s .-A ' » H Large selection of cloth diapers & wraps, natural baby & mama care products, baby slings & carriers, organic cotton baby clothes, wooden toys, personal sendee 2627 SE Clinton St. 503-230-7077 S R I B Ê a 3 0 0 + &>Cdl£ S - .. ' ii< r - I - ,. ‘ Discovery Museum Get your - A c f;,7 Book today! 1 ■ H l I lä S iiB ili Street Roots celebrates 10 years of making a change in our community. Find out more at www.streetroots.org o s a s s a B —
