HEPPNEB GAZETTE -TIMES. Thurutor. r.bn.rr V.
A. Salem
"11 1 1
Salet Tax Package
In Hand cl Votore
Nobodv under 4(1. 'x-,lt ,;'
Isliiiors, him ever voted on the
Oregon Miles X !'l,n; u
IToiMini'ntH o( a Mate wiles lax
ror offscttlnK local IrM irty
i-h note that It ha nt been on
the ballot for 22 yen", and
thousands or new voices alt
to be exercised.
In 22 year. I"". Oregon has
or Mates without this form of
taxation. And manv more of our
piesent citizens, over and under
40, now have lived with the ys
t m In other Mates.
Senate and House concurrence
on the Issue here last week now
clears the line for the voices of
voters, old and new, to be heard
i
on juiic . ...
Here is how the question will
be worded, unless changed by
the courts, on the special elec
tion ballot: ,
School Tax Limitation and
Sales Tax: Constitutionally lim
its school property taxes and
enacts 3 per cent sales tax and
increased corporation taxes. Ex
empts food and prescription
medicines. School districts cnn
not exceed property tax base
without a vote of the people.
Restricts number or school elec
tions, providing uniform elec
tion dates. Establishes new tax
bases for schools. Entire pro
ceeds of sales tax Constitution
ally dedicated to reducing prop
erty taxes. Sales tax cannot be
increased without a vote of the
people."
School Budgets Limited
More specifically, property tax
levies for school districts would
he limited to 5 per cent growth
annually. This limit applies to
new tax bases tor each district
another provision of the overall
package passed by the legislat
ure. ...
Elections to exceed the limi
tation are restricted to two a
year. If successful, such action
would have to be followed at
the next primary election by a
new tax base election.
A 3 per cent retail sales tax
with the rate locked Into the
Constitution and 16.5 per cent
increase in corporate taxes is
expected to raise about $106
million annually for property
tax relief. Relief would be grant
ed equally to all classes of prop
erty, averaging about $6 per
$1,000 of taxable property.
Property taxes would be re
duced by about 20 per cent on
a statewide average. State reve
nue would be returned directly
to local government units, caus
ing lower property tax state
ments, via the Property Tax Re
lief Fund established by the
191)5 legislature.
Distribution Simplified
This simplified distribution
method was devised by the Sen
ate after it was determined that
returning sales tax money bv
way of increased basic school
support would shortchange
some school districts notably
No. 1 in Multnomah County.
Another simplification enact
ed by the Senate and concurred
in by the House is the exemp
tion of food from sales taxation.
The House had first favored a
graduated income tax refund
system, which would have paid
LICENSED
a o n
Hotih Star
DIAL
Home and Irrigation Wells
P. O. BOX 21 BORING. OREGON 97009
Availoble Nitrogen has been leached down into the second
TOP DRESS WITH:
O N-SOL-32
(CHEAPER THIS YEAR)
Or
O AQUA AMMONIA
Scene
b,f.ttLCutt.r
irreaier returns to low-Income
funnliM and saved collection
t,,t. u.,fiiitir4 Ti'ii i e con-1
cent would not be understood n
voter and would nun ramim
for the measure's passage.
Restaurant meals would be
Kuhie.1 to the hales tax. Other
exemptions approved by the
legislature Include private col
leges, boxcar construction, feed,
seed and fertilizers, and raw
materials used In manufactur
ing which do not become part
ot a finished product. Cigarettes
are "exempt" In the sense that
no Increase would be added to
the present 4 cents a pack sales
tax.
The Constitutional amend
ment to be voted on does not
improve the state basic school
.......... - formula Legislators
have sought for years to raise
state support to 50 per cent of
schools' operating costs, but the
trend has been toward a de
cline. The 20 per cent relief of
lered hv the sales tax and cor
porate tax Increase, however,
would have the eftect of rais
ing state aid to about 40 per
cent.
Elderly Homeowners Benetit
Two provisions contained in
Gov. Tom McCall's original rec-
, mm.mftiillmitt U"fP lidded b'
the Senate and approved by the
House last week. One would
fieeze homestead property t:ix
es of homes appraised at S20,
000 or less true cash value
when thev reach age 03. The
other provides for income tax
refunds on a sliding scale to
homesteaders and renters who
earn less than $3,500 annually.
Estimated cost of the two pro
visions Is $16.5 million a bien
nius. It would be financed out
of the general fund, and not
hy the sales tax.
Cost of collecting the sales
tax would be about $2 million
the first year and $1.5 million
annually ' thereafter, estimates
the Senate Tax Commission. Re
tailers, to help offset their col
lection costs, would be allowed
to keep 1.5 per cent of their
total sales tax collection the
first year, and 1 per cent there
after. L
The tax would become effect
ive July 1. 1969, ir approved,
along with other provisions of
the entire package. Property tax
relief would first become evi
dent with the mailing of state
ments in the fall of 1970.
Final legislative passage of
the sales tax package now
gives lawmakers time to con
centrate on other issues, and
they expert to be adjourned and
at home by June 3. The legis
lature did keep its promise to
make tax reform the number
one issue, and now for the first
time in 22 years the question is
in the hands of Oregon citizens.
Ramps Closed
Boat launching ramps at the
Boardman Marine Park are tem
porarily closed for repairs, it is
announced. The public is advis
ed not to use these ramps un
til repairs are completed. Fur
ther information may be ob
tained from the Boardman City
Hall.
o e o
INSURED
Drilling Cq
430-345B
With Prospects For Good
Moisture For The Crops,
Things We Should Consider--
WE HAVE ALL OF THEM AVAILABLE PLUS DRY FERTILIZERS
Heppner Inland Chemical Service
PH. HEPPNER 676-9103
Be Sure to Check our Prices We Are Competitive
STATE CAPITOL
Legislators Work
In Many Areas
Other Than Taxes
Br ROBERT F. SMITH
Speaker ol The House
... .f ihA nm.iniiiMr head-
lines during the legislative ses
sion have dealt wun me ";
lect of prupcrtv tax relleL but
legislative committees are work
ing quietly In many areas or
concern to Oregonians.
One of the major problem ar
eas receiving attention In the
Senate and House Elections
Committees Is the question ol
election law reform.
We need only to look at the
primary and general elections
of VMM to realize that our elec
tion laws are full of loopholes
and devoid of claritv.
Candidates are often lert In
the dark as to what the ground
rules are. especially In the area
or campaign financing and the
definition of false statements.
This law must be clarified so
that candidates ior punuc ui
rice know exactly what their re
sensibilities are.
Another situation where elec
tion laws have failed to keep
pace with the times is our wide
ly heralded Presidential primary
.election. . . ,
Oregonians found tnemscivi-s
left in the lurch last year, with
two announced candidates for
the presidency. Gov. Rockefeller
and Vice President Humphrey,
being excluded from the bid-
""This absence from the ballot
rendered the primary nearly
meaningless. This could be
changi'd bv not allowing candi
dates to withdraw from the bal
lot and bv extending the dead
line for selecting the candidates.
We might also consider remov
al or the provision for placing
vice presidential candidates on
the ballot.
Another area which calls for
immediate attention is the cre
ation of single-member legislat
ive subdistricts. This would ef
fect counties which have more
than one representative or senator-
Under the plan counties with
more than one legislator would
be divided into districts so that
each legislator would have few
er constituents to serve. This
would allow him to provide bet
ter service to those who elected
him, and to keep closer contact
with the rolks at home during
a session. The constituents
would know the exact identity
of the person they should hold
responsible. Moreover, there is
tr .-. ,t,Hir nna vnlnr chnilld
III ICMUII .v.v..
have the privilege of voting for
several senators and several
representatives while other vot
ers can vote for only one of
each.
These are three of the import
ant election revisions which de
mand attention and hopefully,
the legislature will be able to
complete this task before ad
journment. Your thoughts and comments
on these election issues are ap
preciated. Please keep those
cards and letters coming in.
PROPERTY TAX
FAX
QUESTION:
Who composes the local Board
of Equalization and how do you
become a member?
ANSWER:
The local Board of Equaliza
tion is composed of one member
of the County Court (or County
Commissioners) ; the senior
member of the county budget
committee an a non-office-
i.i,i:., f.ni,v,n1Haii fnrnnppfv
owner) who is appointed by the
other two. iney serve a one
vear term, beginning in November.
ARMER:
Or
O AQUA and SULPHUR
Or
O ANHYDROUS NH3
Oregon Cattlemen
There has been considerable
HM-culntlon and i-oncerii by Ore
eon cattlemen and others
throughout the West as to what
the courts, Congiess and gov
ernment official will do con
cerning Brazing fee Increase,
according to Donald Ostensoe,
executive vice-president, Oregon
Cattlemen's Association.
A suit riled against the gov.
eminent opposing the public
lands grazing fee increases nau
a hearing in U. S. District Court
in Albuquerque, N. M.. recently.
District Judge Bratton said,
"I will take this Injunction re
quest under advisement and an
nounce my decision within a
week."
This suit was brought by New
Mexico rancher Ruben Pankey
and Is endorsed fullv by the
American National Cattlemen s
Association. Pankey told Judge
Bratton that "the estimated val
ue or mv 72.000 acre ranch has
decreased more than $250,000 as
a result or the increased graz
ing roes".
Coblnet Opinions Given
The cattle industry also re
ceived the opinion or two cab
Inet members. Secretary or Ag
riculture Clifford H. Hardin an
nounced In Washington, D. C,
that the U. S. Forest Service
would charge the higher fees on
forest lands, and Secretary of In
terior Walter J. Hickel issued a
similar order to the Bureau of
Land Management for range
lands.
The higher fees were recom-
YOUR
SENATOR
REPORTS . . .
Again this week taxes up
staged all other activities of
the legislature. It did so because
of the dramatic manner in
which it passed the Senate by
a slim margin of 16-14. allow
inc the people of Oregon to voice
their opinion on a sales tax in
June. This will be the first time
in nearly 22 years the people
of Oregon have had a chance
to vote on such a measure.
Although all the headlines
were stolen by the tax drama,
work was as vigorous and ac
tive as ever. The Senate com
mittee on Health and Welfare
conducted its last meeting of
the controversial issue of fluor
idation. According to the com
mittee's chairman, the commit
tee will devote the next two
weeks to studying the evidence
found from their hearings.
Meantime, the attorney general
i acUnri fnr an ODinion
on the constitutionality of the
state paving tor nuoriue pins
.1..., 1,1 ho riistrihuted at
UlcVl v uum
schools on a voluntary basis.
The committee is also consid
ering a proposal that would
leave fluoridation up to the lo
cal control.
Would Cut Exemptions
Literary, benevolent, cnarita
ble, scientific, religious and fra
nrirsnintinns mav lose
their tax exempt status next
year, if a bill introduced in the
House is passed, ine oiu wuuiu
levy a property tax the first
year, of 10 per cent on the nor
mal rate on the afore-mentioned
property. An additional 5 per
cent would then be levied every
third year of application until
reaching a ceiling of 25 per
cent. It would apply January 1,
1970.
Hospitals, orphanages and
homes for the aged, which are
organized to serve the poor,
would continue to be exempt
from the tax rolls. According to
the author, the bill is intended
to bring out greater equality in
property taxes.
A guarantee was given to the
legislature this week that Ore-
and third foot of soil.
Eye Developments On Grazing Fees
lout full hu th nut-
lilt IH.VW
going ndmlnlMmilnn In an at
tempt to achieve what officials
called a "fair market value" for
gruring on public land. The pro
iHisal was later nupported by the
U. S. Budget Bureau.
-r...,,.n livott.v-lf nueratorti
have denounced the fee tioosN
as a "threat -to tue existence
or the state' cattle and sheep
Industries.
Jones Gives Advice
Oregon Cattlemen's Associa
tion President Dennv Jones. Jun
tura. Is one of five Industry
i t.. ultd nn lhn evecu
tlve committee of the national
Public Lands louncu.
He had the following advice
for Oregon ranchers. "After vis
Itlng with Harry Lee. National
-ui.nn r.r ihi Pnhllc Ijinds
v imitiii'.ii .....
Council. I find there Is some dis
agreement among me aaminia
trators of our public lands as to
whether a grazing license could
be Issued without payment or
whether we would be liable for
trespass if we turned out with
out a license. Therefore, the ad
vice from the Oregon Cattle
men's Association Is to pay your
1969 grazing fees when billed,
and, if there U an adjustment
on the fees, vou will be credit
ed for it on your next year's li
cense." At the request of the Oregon
cattle industry and by many
other organized state cattle as
sociations and the American
National Cattlemen's Associa
tion, both houses of Congress
BY KEN JERNSTEDT.
STATE SENATOR
18th District Including
Morrow county
gon will never suffer from nu
clear plant pollution. Chief en
ninnor fr.r thp State SanitaTV AU
thority, Kenneth Spies, said this
guarantee win oe nonon-u
Dreeon's strict restric
tions against using water as a
direct coolant ror nuclear power
plants. He also noiea inai um
nniintinn will be avoided
ihm.inh hp reouirements of
cooling lagoons and cooling
towers.
Flag Burners Target
Controversy was a common
element in bills introduced on
nn..nv.ti.,o iWantinn. flap burn
ing and motorcycle helmets and
A bill was introduced at the
request of the veterans which
would provide for a penalty
from $100 to $500, or a year in
jail for persons desecrating a
U S. Flag. , t .
Legislation has been introduc
ed to stiffen the penalties on
marijuana and LSD pushers,
and reduce the punishment on
those who use the two drugs.
Under the present law, both sale
and use of "pot" are felonies,
but sale and use of LSD are
misdemeanors.
On the lighter side, the Beav
er the buck-toothed, furry friend
of dam builders, made his notch
in the marble halls of the Cap
itol this week with the passage
of the Senate's version of a
hin that makes him Oregon s
official state animal. The bill
now goes to the House.
Pioneer
Ponderings
Bv W. S. CAVERHILL
A Successful Farmer's Reaction
I encountered a large and suc
cessful farm operator and asked
his opinion on the impact of the
proposed sales tax on his bus
iness. His reply seemed sound
to me. It follows verbatim for
others to judge.
"A 3 percent sales tax for prop
erty tax relief? This sounds
good, but let me tell you how
this will effect me. In November
I receive an estimated 25-30 per
cent reduction in my property
tax. But through the course of
the year mv sales tax taxable
farm and living expenses will
replace this relief. This will hap
pen whether the year has been
profitable or not.
"Some of my neighbors that
rent much of their land would
have very little tax reduction
with much more tax in the form
of a sales tax. Others that own
their land and raise a crop ev
ery other year with smaller
farm expenses would probably
have 5-10 percent relief.
"A property tax relief that is
ruicoH in some manner re
lated to ability (income) is not
relief.
Flatt's Truck
Service
PHONE 989-8420
For Fast and Dependable
FREIGHT TRUCK SERVICE
Daily Overnight Service
From Portland Including
Saturdays
MOVING? CALL US
GENE ORWICK
have granted public hearings on
these grazing fee Increases.
Hearing Scheduled
The Senate subcommittee on
public lands under the Chair
manship of Senator Frank
Church ID.-Ida.) will hold hear
ings on February 27 and 28.
The House or Representative
sulcommiltee on public lands,
under the Chairmanship of
Wayne Asplnall. (D.-Col.l will
hold their hearings on March 4
and 5. Jones and Charles Otley,
chairman. OCA public lands
committee, will attend and test
ify at both or these Congres
sional hearings in Washington.
D. C,
Forest Service fee hikes are
variable and will average 5 or
6 cents an animal unit per
month. Until now the Services
fees have ranged from about 35c
to $1.60 a month for each ani
mal unit.
The BLM Increase will boost
(mm ill in die net animal
unit in Eastern Oregon and from
63o to 71c in most Western Ore
gon areas.
lr..lnUa nf ti,At1ln(r nnt rA.
V Ol 11 111 Ul niUM.MH
ceDtlon invitation at Gazette-
Time office.
PENDLETON
When you can't locate it or get it done in Hepp
ner, these Pendleton Business and Professional
Firms will be happy to serve you.
Appliances
Ed and Clay's
APPLIANCE
CENTER
Sales nd Service
Ph. 276-1170
207 S. E. Court Ave. Pendleton
Ed Sailing Clayton Baker
G.E. KitchenAid
Electricians
ZEPHYR
ELECTRIC, INC.
332 S. E. Emigrant Ave.
W. F. (Mike)
ZIMMERMAN
Pendleton,
Oregon 97801
Bus. Phone
276-6921
Hearing Aid Service
Res. Phone
276-C3S9
WILL A HEARING AID HELP YOU?
Be Positive ... Try Before You Buy!
ASK ABOUT OUR RENTAL PLAN CALL 276-3155
m
MAICO
Pharmacy
MEDICAL CENTER
PHARMACY
Prescriptions Mailed Free Anywhere
V" '"' ' ' Hospital Supplies
Sales or Rental
Ph. 276-1531
Emerg. Ph. 276-1358
11UU SOUtngaie, renuiemn
Pumps, Irrigation
Vv- GREEN ::'.:3
stamps! 3
COLUMBIA PUMP & IRRIGATION
Phone
276-3681
Pendleton
Sharpening Service
Clipper Blades
Sharpened
All Kinds $1 per set
Cash
PENDLETON SHARPENING
418 N. W. 6th
Pendleton, Ore. 97801
CALL THE GAZETTE-TIMES
FOR DIRECTORY AD RATES
676-9228
Women's Wear
Spray Club Started
tt the Needle
in Haystack 4 II flub w he d
In the Spray hcihkm
L-bruarv 11 at 3:30 p.m. We
,-U-cted olliivn. They are pre-
Ident, lVt.hle Htllt; vice pn-.-dent.
Sherrlll Aditnix; wcretary.
KriMi Holier; reporter. lxniit.i
llrillith. and sergeant at arms.
Barbara Adam. Our leader are
Bonnie Kyle and handy Britt.
We filled out our memlH'rship
blanks.
Our second run-linn wa held
at the Bonnie Kvle home reb
ruary 18. Kristl Fisher and Do
nlta Griffith were asked to Rive
demonstration on how to
make pin cushion at the next
mectlni;. Sherrlll and Barbara
Adams furnished refreshment,
and Bonnie Kyle served the
Kool Aid.
Donlta Griffith, reporter
Mr. end Mr. Arnold Raymond
and family spent the past week
end in McMlnnvllle where they
visited hi father, Clayton Ray
mond, and his older sister. LoU
Francis. Thev also enjoyed a
visit with another sister and bro
ther who came with their fam
ilies from Albanv to visit at the
Raymond home. Returning home
on Sunday, the family traveled
via Monmouth, where they stop
ped ror a visit with his aunt,
Mrs. Lucille Lamb.
Furniture
BRANDL'S FURNITURE
AND APPLIANCE
George and Jean Brandl, Owners
Everything in Used Furniture and
Appliances at the Lowest Prices In
Eastern Oregon.
Ph. 276-2353 301 S. W. 20th
Pendleton
Open Six Days A Week to Serve You
Hardware, Lumber
BOYSEN PAINTS LUMBER
HARDWARE
Tum-A-Lum Lbr. Co.
(OREGON LUMBER YARD)
432 S. E. Dorion
Ph. 276-6221
PLYWOOD-ROOFING
READY-MIX PRODUCTS
or write
Lester Ruud Hearing
Aid Service
21 S. W. Dorion St.
Pendleton, Ore. 97801
Call The
HEPPNER
GAZETTE-TIMES
Ph. 676-9228
For information
on advertising
in this directory
Peerless Pumps
Wade Rain Irrigation
WELL TESTING
8" bowls to 1450 GPM
Also 6", 10", 11", 12" Bowls
Sheet Metal
Thews Sheet Metal,
INC.
LENNOX COMFORT
General Sheet Metal Work
1907 SW Court PI. Ph. 276-3751
Harold Hendricks, Owner
Air Conditioning-Heating
WE'VE GOT CLOTHES
FOR EVERYONE
"It's only the look that's
expensive"
THE FRANCES SHOP
EXCLUSIVELY WOMEN'S WEAR
Pendleton. Oregon 276-4652