Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The daily Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1961-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 21, 2017)
3A THE DAILY ASTORIAN • TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2017 Bill would expand Oregon Health Plan to undocumented children In theory, new business taxes could cover shortfall Estimates come with caveats By CLAIRE WITHYCOMBE Capital Bureau SALEM — Certain types of state business taxes could raise enough additional rev- enue that match the state’s projected budget shortfall of nearly $1.8 billion, according to an analysis from Oregon’s nonpartisan Legislative Reve- nue Office. But those estimates come with serious caveats. They don’t take into account behav- ioral responses in the broader economy. They also don’t account for other adjustments to taxes that legislators could make in exchange for insti- tuting a new or higher tax on business. Those catches encapsulate the challenge of crafting the state’s tax policy, a political battle that’s taking shape this session. The shortfall is the gap between expected revenue for the upcoming two-year bud- get cycle and what is needed to fund state services at cur- rent levels, according to the Democratic chairs of the state legislative budget-writing committee. Prior to the start of the ses- sion Republicans said that they’d be willing to consider revenue reform in exchange for cutting the costs of state government. One target of their ire is the state’s public pension system. Legislators on the House Revenue Committee — the chamber where revenue-rais- ing measures have to start — spent last week and Mon- day reviewing different types of taxes that could, if passed, replace or alter the current business tax structure. Some of those taxes were included in a Legislative Rev- enue Office analysis of esti- mated revenue from various types of taxes last week, which officials were quick to say was not a policy proposal. Corporate income tax Revenue officers estimated that if the Legislature increased the corporate income tax rate to 20 percent, they could raise more than $2.8 billion in the 2017-19 budget cycle. The state’s tax rate on cor- porate income is currently whichever is greater: a min- imum tax on relative sales or 6.6 percent tax on taxable income, for companies making up to $1 million, or 7.6 per- cent tax for companies mak- ing more than that, according to Business Oregon. In the upcoming biennium, the corporate income tax, at its current rates, is projected to bring in about $1.03 billion. But, as Legislative Reve- nue Officer Paul Warner told legislators last week — in something of an understate- ment — a 20 percent corpo- rate income tax would proba- bly result in “some feedback” from the business community. The state’s general fund is largely dependent on the income tax, which swings up and down with the economy. Some proponents of revenue reform claim the amount busi- nesses contribute to the state’s revenue pool is too little and has shrunk in recent decades. Corporate income taxes are one subset of business taxes. ‘Menu’ of options There’s a “menu” of options available when it comes to business taxes, says Warner, and states from New Hampshire to Ohio have a dif- ferent array. Each type of tax comes with varying consequences in terms of the state’s revenue volatility, administrative com- plexity and prices on goods and services. The revenue office last week also presented figures to lawmakers on a business privi- lege tax and a value-added tax. A business privilege tax is considered an excise tax and levied on the “privilege of doing business” in the state. Under the Legislative Rev- enue Office’s analysis, esti- mates of revenue that such a tax could bring in range from $744 million to $2.8 billion in the upcoming biennium, depending on the threshold for inclusion. Again, those estimates don’t acknowledge what con- sequences the institution of such a tax might have on the economy or other changes that legislators could make in com- bination with those changes, such as eliminating the corpo- rate income tax. A value-added tax is charged whenever value is added to a product. It can be calculated in different ways, but by one calculation method, it is based on gross sales receipts minus the cost of a business’ purchases from other businesses. The Legisla- tive Revenue Office said, with a $1 million sales threshold, a rate of 1 percent could bring in $1.33 billion or, at 1.5 percent, nearly $2 billion. Expansion put at $55 million over two years By PARIS ACHEN Capital Bureau SALEM — When 12-year-old Raul Perez was diagnosed with a heart prob- lem last fall, his family’s immediate question was how could they afford to pay for medical treatment. Because Raul came to the United States undocumented at age 3 and lacks a Social Security card, he is ineligible for coverage under the Ore- gon Health Plan. His mother, a housekeeper, said she and his father, a landscaper, can- not afford the surgery he will eventually need to repair the hole between the top two chambers of his heart. “Right now, he does not have health insurance, so I cannot sleep at all,” she said. “For me, it is really hard to see how much it’s going to be, how much it’s going to cost for us.” When Raul speaks, there is no hint of his Mex- ican origin in his voice. His accent sounds Oregonian as he spouts perfect standard English and helps his mother articulate her thoughts in her adopted language. Meanwhile, Raul’s 5-year-old sister qualifies for the state Medicaid program because she was born in this country. Gross receipts tax With a gross receipts tax, some legislators have expressed concerns about “pyramiding,” or the phenom- enon where the cost of goods grows with every step in the supply chain, and eventually trickles down to the consumer. The amount of pyramid- ing depends on the good that is being sold, though, accord- ing to Warner. Some products, such as agricultural commod- ities, require more processing. In Nevada, businesses pur- veying those types of goods are taxed at a lower rate than those selling services such as entertainment. While a value-added tax has a broad base by incremen- talizing charges and minimizes pyramiding, it is uncommon and can put exporters at a com- petitive disadvantage, accord- ing to the Legislative Revenue Office. The Capital Bureau is a collaboration between EO Media Group and Pamplin Media Group. Gov. Kate Brown, a bipar- tisan group of lawmakers and advocates argue that Perez should receive the same ben- efits as his sister. The lawmakers have sponsored legislation that would allow the Oregon Health Authority to give health coverage to the more than 17,000 undocumented children in the state, effective July 1. Children in house- holds that earn 300 percent of federal poverty level are eligible for the state health program. The bill was first proposed by former state Rep. Vic Gilliam, R-Silverton, who resigned earlier this month due to his battle with Lou Gehrig’s disease, or amyo- trophic lateral sclerosis. Gil- liam sought to pass the same legislation in 2015, but it died in the Senate. Rep. Alissa Keny-Guyer, D-Portland, read testimony by Gilliam in support of this year’s bill during a hearing in the House Committee on Health Care. “The bill offers care and compassion to a vulnerable Oregon population, and it offers savings and illness pre- vention for all Oregonians,” Gilliam wrote. “Our commu- nities are stronger when all of our children are healthy.” Gov. Brown has included the $55 million biennial cost to add the coverage in her proposed budget, released in December. The cost can only be paid for with state general fund dollars. Poet laureate reflects on human condition at Cannon Beach talk Words, voice, family and nature By REBECCA HERREN The Daily Astorian CANNON BEACH — Keep it simple, embellish a lot and write from the heart with humor and honesty. That was how poet laureate Elizabeth Woody’s message came across as she spoke to a crowded audi- ence at the Tolovana Arts Col- ony in Cannon Beach on Fri- day evening. Woody is of Navajo Nation and Yakama N a t i o n descent and is an enrolled member of the Confed- Elizabeth erated Tribes of Warm Woody Springs. Her poetry reflects her close ties with her family and her rela- tionship to the natural world, incorporating language that is rhythmic and inspirational — full of history and culture. Her writings intertwine nature’s imagery with thoughtful obser- THE DAILY ASTORIAN T UESDAY E VENING A (2) (-) (-) (6) (-) (8) (9) (10) (12) (13) (-) (20) (-) (29) (30) (31) (32) (34) (35) (36) (38) (39) (43) (44) (45) (46) (47) (48) (49) (50) (51) (52) (53) (54) (56) (57) (58) (61) (63) (64) (65) (162) (2) (4) (5) (-) (7) (-) (3) (10) (12) (-) (13) (20) (22) (29) (30) (31) (32) (34) (35) (36) (38) (39) (43) (44) (45) (46) (47) (48) (49) (50) (51) (52) (53) (54) (56) (57) (58) (61) (63) (64) (65) (162) Elise assisted living community the The human condition Her writings express her understanding of the human condition as she weaves ances- try with community. Her sec- ond book “Luminaries of the Humble” is a compilation of her reflections as she observes everyday life. Before each reading, she preceded the selection with anecdotes that prompted her writings. Her collection of poems in “Wind Movement” describes important elements that were important to her father. Comparing his beloved Navajo language to the wind, Woody explained, “It’s like the wind, you can’t name it. It is just there — like energy.” “Rosette,” for example, is the desire to learn the art of beading from her grandmother who, when asked, informed Woody that she already was an expert beader. Disappointed with this answer, Woody threw away the medallions she had LISTINGS beaded. Her grandmother fetched them from the trash, sewed pins to the backs and wore them to an event; proudly telling everyone her grand- daughter had made them. Another reading evoked the memory of her grandparents telling stories every morning during breakfast. Reflecting, Woody imparted on how much in love her grandparents were and how often they giggled. She told of the time her grand- father visualized her grand- mother as “a beautiful little girl on a beautiful horse with beau- tiful long glistening braids.” Evening listings TUESDAY F EBRUARY 21 A - Charter Astoria/ Seaside - L - Charter Long Beach PM 6:30 7 PM 7:30 8 PM 8:30 9 PM 9:30 10 PM 10:30 11 PM 11:30 KATU News at 6 Jeopardy! Wheel of Fortune The Middle (N) Am.Housewife (N) Fresh Off-Boat (N) Real O'Neals (N) Agents of SHIELD "Self Control" (N) KATU News at 11 (:35) Jimmy Kimmel KOMO 4 News Wheel of Fortune Jeopardy! The Middle (N) Am.Housewife (N) Fresh Off-Boat (N) Real O'Neals (N) Agents of SHIELD "Self Control" (N) KOMO 4 News (:35) Jimmy Kimmel NBC Nightly News KING 5 News KING 5 News Evening The Wall "Ashle and Xandi" (N) This Is Us "Memphis" (N) Chicago Fire "Purgatory" (N) KING 5 News (:35) Tonight Show KOIN Local 6 at 6 CBS Evening News Extra Ent. Tonight NCIS "A Many Splendored Thing" (N) Bull "What's Your Number?" (N) NCIS:NewOrleans "End of the Line" (N) KOIN 6 News @ 11 (:35) S. Colbert KIRO 7 News CBS Evening News The Insider Ent. Tonight NCIS "A Many Splendored Thing" (N) Bull "What's Your Number?" (N) NCIS:NewOrleans "End of the Line" (N) KIRO News (:35) S. Colbert KGW News at 6:00 p.m. Live at Seven Inside Edition The Wall "Ashle and Xandi" (N) This Is Us "Memphis" (N) Chicago Fire "Purgatory" (N) KGW News at 11 (:35) Tonight Show Last Man Standing Last Man Standing Modern Family Modern Family The Flash "Attack on Gorilla City" (N) LegendsTomorrow "Camelot/ 3000" (N) KGW News at 10 Two and a Half Two and a Half Met Your Mother Ask-Old House Business (N) PBS NewsHour American Masters "Maya Angelou" (N) Frontline "Out of Gitmo" (N) Trailblazers: The New Zealand Story 6 O'Clock News Family Feud Family Feud New Girl (N) The Mick (N) Bones "The Grief and the Girl" (N) 10 O'Clock News 11 O'Clock News 2 Broke Girls Mike & Molly Mike & Molly Big Bang Theory Big Bang Theory FOX 12's 8 O'Clock News on PDX-TV FOX 12's 9 O'Clock News on PDX-TV FamilyGuy 1/2 Family Guy American Dad Cleveland Show Modern Family Modern Family Big Bang Theory Big Bang Theory New Girl (N) The Mick (N) Bones "The Grief and the Girl" (N) Q13 News at 10 Q13 News The Simpsons Seinfeld Seinfeld Seinfeld Seinfeld Big Bang Theory Big Bang Theory Big Bang Theory Big Bang Theory The Detour (N) The Detour (N) (:05) Conan Two and a Half Two and a Half Last Man Standng Last Man Standng Modern Family Modern Family Q13 News at 9 Big Bang Theory Big Bang Theory Friends Friends NCAA Basketball Indiana at Iowa (L) SportsCenter SportsCenter SportsCenter SportsCenter NCAA Basketball Mississippi (Ole Miss) at Mississippi State University (L) NFL Live College Basketball Jalen & Jacoby (N) E:60 Pictures Mike & Mike: ICYMI (N) Jalen & Jacoby Henry Danger Henry Danger Paradise Run The Thundermans The Thundermans Game Shakers Full House Full House Full House Full House Friends Friends Bunk'd Bizaardvark K.C. Undercover Good Luck Charlie Stuck in Middle Good Luck Charlie Liv and Maddie Liv and Maddie Bunk'd Bunk'd Jessie Jessie (5:00) The Twilight Saga: New Moon ('09) Taylor Lautner, Kristen Stewart. The Fosters "Doors and Windows" (N) Birth "Relation of Lines and Colors" (N) The Fosters "Doors and Windows" The 700 Club (5:00) When the Game Stands Tall (:20) When the Game Stands Tall (2014, Sport) Alexander Ludwig, Michael Chiklis, Jim Caviezel. (:40) FXM Presents Looper (2012, Action) Bruce Willis, Emily Blunt, Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Dance Moms "Leaving La La Land" Dance Moms Dance Moms Dance Moms (N) The Pop Game (P) (N) The Pop Game Wild Places Mark Few (N) Champions Tennis QQQ Cup PowerShares Series WPT Poker Tournament of Champions Mark Few WPT Poker Bay 101 Shooting Star Poker Night (N) (5:00) NCAA Basketb. St.J./Marquette (L) Boxing Premier Champions Miguel Flores vs. Dat Nguyen (L) Fox Sports Live TMZ Sports (N) Skip and Shannon: Undisputed Opinions on the biggest sports topics of the day. Cops Cops Cops Cops Cops Cops Campus PD Campus PD Cops Cops Campus PD Campus PD Futurama Futurama Futurama Futurama Tosh.0 Tosh.0 Tosh.0 Tosh.0 Tosh.0 (N) Detroiters (N) The Daily Show (N) @midnight Oak Island "Hyde Park and Go Seek" Curse of Oak Island "One of Seven" Oak Island "Of Sticks and Stones" (N) The Curse of Oak Island "Blood Is Thicker" (SF) (N) (:05) Six "Collateral" First 48 "Closing Time/ Family Matters" Intervention "Carrie E" Intervention "Sierra" (:55) Codependent "Louis and Dan" Escaping Polygamy (N) 24 to Life "Shadow of Shame" Say Yes-Dress Say Yes-Dress To Be Announced My Big Life "Judging Whitney" My Big "How Low Can Whit Go?" (N) Tattoo Girls "A Shop Divided" (:05) My Big "How Low Can Whit Go?" Mnshiner "Big Wheels Keep on Turning" Moonshiners "The Green Devil" (N) Moonshiners "Thunder Pumpkins" (N) Moonshiners (N) Killing Fields (SF) (N) Moonshiners Eyewitness War "Blood Brothers" Inside Combat Rescue "Fog of War" Inside Combat Rescue "Visions of War" Inside Combat "The Last Stand" The final stages of Operation Enduring Freedom. M Ware "Riding for Mother Russia" Bones "Boy in the Time Capsule" Bones "The Knight on the Grid" Jack the Giant Slayer (2013, Fantasy) Ewan McGregor, Stanley Tucci, Nicholas Hoult. Godzilla ('14, Act) Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen. Pearl Harbor (2001, War) Kate Beckinsale, Josh Hartnett, Ben Affleck. Walk the Line ('05) Reese Witherspoon, Ginnifer Goodwin, Joaquin Phoenix. (4:00) Forrest Gump ('94) Tom Hanks. Law & Order: S.V.U. "Resilience" Law & Order: S.V.U. "Damaged" WWE Smackdown! WWE superstars do battle in long-running rivalries. Chrisley Knows (N) Chrisley Knows Modern Family Modern Family Chopped "Unsung Heroes" Chopped "Thrill of the Grill" Chopped Junior "Heads Will Roll" (N) Chopped "Bacon Baskets!" Chopped "Chefs in A Pickle" (N) Chopped "Say Cheese!" Fixer Upper Fixer Upper "The Floating Fixer Upper" Fixer Upper (N) Fixer Upper "Space in the Suburbs" (N) House Hunters House Hunters (N) Fixer Upper "Retiring to the Country" (5:00) Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters The Avengers (2012, Action) Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Robert Downey Jr.. Taboo James Delaney faces a devastating betrayal. (N) Taboo Anderson Cooper 360 CNN Tonight With Don Lemon CNN Tonight With Don Lemon Anderson Cooper 360 Anderson Cooper 360 CNN Tonight With Don Lemon Tucker Carlson Tonight Hannity The O'Reilly Factor Tucker Carlson Tonight Hannity The First 100 Days Shark Tank Billion Buy "I Need Your Vision" (SF) (N) Shark Tank Shark Tank Billion Buyer "I Need Your Vision" Paid Program Paid Program The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills Beverly Hills "Hostile Hacienda" Beverly Hills Social (N) Beverly Hills (N) Imposters "We Wanted Every Lie" (N) WatchWhat (N) Beverly Hills (5:00) The Quiet Man ('52) John Wayne. (:15) The Razor's Edge (1946, War) Gene Tierney, John Payne, Tyrone Power. (:45) Rear Window ('54, Susp) Grace Kelly, Wendell Corey, James Stewart. Movie John Wick ('14, Action) Adrianne Palicki, Bridget Moynahan, Keanu Reeves. Face Off "The Devil Is in the Details" Face Off "Monster High" Face Off "Snow Queens" Face Off (N) (5:30) Cattlemen (N) Tractor Pulling Downunder Horseman. Chris Cox Rural Eve. News Ag PhD Cattlemen to Cattlemen Tractor Pulling 1/2 Product Showcase Suzanne a p a r t of tum society with the oneness of family units, noting that hard research on the foundation of love shows how family hearts syncopate when people truly love one another. 6 L KATU KOMO KING KOIN KIRO KGW KRCW KOPB KPTV KPDX KCPQ TBS KZJO ESPN ESPN2 NICK DISN FAM FMC LIFE ROOT FS1 SPIKE COM HIST A&E TLC DISC NGEO TNT AMC USA FOOD HGTV FX CNN FNC CNBC BRAV TCM SYFY RFD vation and she uses ancestral experiences and contemporary issues to express the voice of native communities today. Woody is open about her family and her background, a group she portrays with human- ity and sympathy. Raised by her grandparents, the wisdom of her ancestors was evident as she spoke about the impor- tance of words, voice, fam- ily and nature. “I was raised in a family that always had me think about other people,” she said. Woody likens the theory of quantum science and quan- a v a m e r e f a m i l y of c o m p a n i e s 503-738-0307 101 Forest Dr. Seaside, OR 97138 ASSSISTED LIVING F E B R UA RY M OV E - I N S P E C I A L Assisted Living seaside A sweet deal! Pay no move-in fee and receive Independent Living 503-738-0900 Memory Care 50% off your second month’s rent. Call today. 2500 S Roosevelt Dr. at a p a r t of *Reduced rent offer excludes services. Limited time offer. Subject to change without notice. the a v a m e r e f a m i l y of c o m p a n i e s Seaside, OR 97138 ASSISTED LIVING & MEMORY CARE
