Jan. 5: Public invited to forum on Measures 66, 67

Sen. Frank Morse, R-Albany, and Rep. Sara Gelser, D-Corvallis, will join the Corvallis Gazette-Times Editorial Board for a public session to discuss their views on Measures 66 and 67, the two tax initiatives on the ballot for the January 26 Special Election.

Date: January 5, 2010
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Corvallis-Benton Public Library, 645 N.W. Monroe Ave.

Oregon voters will be asked whether they want to uphold the Legislature's $733 million tax package, which raises corporate taxes and income taxes on wealthier individuals. ∴ The Democratic-led Legislature said the tax increases are needed to balance the budget and to protect schools and safety net programs from budget cuts. They also said the higher taxes are aimed at those who can most easily afford to pay them. ∴ Business groups who mounted the campaign to force a statewide referendum vote on the issue say the two taxes will prolong Oregon's economic slump and cost the state jobs.

The Gazette-Times frequently invites newsmakers to meet with its editorial board, which decides what positions the paper will take in its editorials. Those meetings are open to the public, and considering the high amount of interest in the tax initiatives, the paper is moving this meeting to the library.

Members of the public will get the chance to ask questions of the
legislators during the session.

"We've already seen a lot of heat over these tax measures," said Mike McInally, the publisher and editor of the G-T, "but not a whole lot of light. We're delighted that Sen. Morse and Rep. Gelser, two thoughtful lawmakers, have accepted our invitation to discuss the initiatives, and we're especially happy to be able to invite our readers."

Other members of the G-T's editorial board are Theresa Novak, city editor and editorial page editor; and Larry Thomas, press and packaging manager.

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