Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 29, 2004)
whenever and wherever possible, but join me in voting NO on 30. Pete Raiteri Eugene YES ON 30 People against Measure 30 speak of the sky not falling. When Measure 28 failed, for some the sky did fall. The impact was most keenly felt by those on whom the sky did fall; people receiving benefits due to disability, those working in public schools, in law en- forcement, those providing services to the disabled and the elderly. People not em- ployed in sectors that provide these services didn’t notice that sky falling, for it didn’t fall on them. I’ve heard the tax increase is coer- cion, that the mess should be repaired by those in the Oregon State Legislature that caused it, without increasing our taxes. Perhaps that’s true, but if I pay more taxes to save programs that benefit our children, our elderly, and our disabled, then make it so, for I will vote yes on 30. This increase is minute, averaging $3 per month per household (based on $40,000 household income). Without this increase more sky will fall. People who receive mental health benefits (already greatly reduced) will have fewer benefits and will more likely be hospitalized. Who will pay for this? The tax- payers, and the amount paid out will certainly exceed that of the tax increase. Regardless of how much one pays out in increased taxes, it’s the right thing to do to provide care for those less fortunate, for those that need our help. People on welfare, those with disabilities (physical and psychiatric), are not throwaways of society, they are human beings and deserve our respect. Bob Kennedy and 13 co-signers Eugene SMALL PRICE TO PAY I’ve seen many letters recently about how people can’t possibly afford the huge new tax increases of Measure 30. A close look at the measure shows that for people with modest incomes, the tax increase would be very small. For a single person with a $20,000 in- come, the increase would be about $1 a month. For a couple with a $40,000 income, it would be about $2 a month. Surely, this is manageable even in these uncertain times. There will be real consequences for all Oregonians if we fail to pass Measure 30. These include loss of health coverage for thousands of residents, larger classes in the public schools, loss of drug and alcohol serv- ices, etc. A person who loses prescription drug coverage will end up costing the state far more if he has a stroke and requires per- manent nursing home care. Crime rates go up when people can’t get drug and alcohol or anger management counseling. There’s an angry belief that seems wide- spread that somebody is robbing taxpayers blind. All the states are going through budget R iverpark IN • • • • • HOME CARE Bath Visits Meal Prep & Shopping Personal Care Assistants Housekeeping/Laundry Exercise Excellence . . . with a personal touch For information about our complete In Home Care Services, call 345-2853 www.touchmark.com Licensed Tax Consultants L. B URDICK & A SSOCIATES T AX P REPARATION & C ONSULTING • • • • • Individual Returns Business Returns Stock Transactions Rental Real Estate Out of State Returns Ask about changes in EIC, child tax, retirement & education credits, depreciation, capital gains and dividends. 47 W. 29th (29th & Willamette) New Client 25% Discount (Save $12 to $125) • Call for FREE estimate • FREE Electronic Filing • Rapid Refund Loans in as little as 24 hrs. • Fees paid through refund • We accept Visa/MC • Eves. & Sat. by Appt. 541-345-1680 JANUARY 29, 2004 5
