Oregon's Measures 66 and 67

Oregon's Measures 66 and 67

Measure 66, which increased taxes on households earning above $250,000 a year, and Measure 67, which increased corporate taxes, were two Oregon levies that passed with over 54 percent of the vote.

Cry Wolf Quotes

The state of Washington has no income tax. Its unemployment rate is 20 percent lower than Oregon's -- before [Ballot Measures] 66 and 67. These measures would give Oregon the highest income tax rates in the country….Reputable economists forecast 66 and 67 will cost the state thousands -- maybe tens of thousands -- of jobs, and that thousands of our most successful residents will leave the state.

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Phil Knight, co-founder and chairman of Nike Inc, Oregon. Com.

It's disappointing and discouraging. The tone and tenor was often venomous, trying to pit the haves against the have-nots…[the business community now must figure out] how to participate in a system that's largely disconnected from us.

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Pat McCormick, spokesman for Oregonians Against Job-Killing Taxes, The Oregonian.

It has been my hope that other entrepreneurs would similarly pursue their dreams in Oregon. They won't. Measures 66 and 67 should be labeled Oregon's Assisted Suicide Law II. They will allow us to watch a state slowly killing itself. They are anti-business, anti-success, anti-inspirational, anti-humanitarian, and most ironically, in the long run, they will deprive the state of tax revenue, not increase it.

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Phil Knight, co-founder and chairman of Nike Inc, Oregon. Com.

The bottom line is the unions bought the election. It's going to be a sadder day as more businesses leave the state and more don't want to come here.

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State Republican Chairman Bob Tiernan.