GT: Voters OK tax measures; both pass easily in Benton County

CORVALLIS GAZETTE-TIMES, 1/26/2010 by Raju Woodward - Linda Weimer sat quietly in the back room at High 5 Sports Bar & Grill as the results of Tuesday's special election became evident: Measures 66 and 67, which increased taxes on wealthier Oregonians and corporations, respectively, had passed. ∴ She was part of a small group of Benton County Republicans and Americans for Prosperity members gathered at the restaurant at 1644 Main St., in Philomath. ∴ "I'm disappointed," Weimer said. "I expected this, but I thought it would be closer. It could have gone either way. We gave it our best shot." [Snip] About 62 percent of Benton County voters cast a ballot; about 63 percent of them voted "yes" on Measure 66; 61 percent approved Measure 67. Read more at the GT... (Comments are interesting)

See how Benton County and Oregon voted.

Courtesy of the Gazette-Times
How Benton County voted

MEASURE 66 - PERSONAL TAX
Yes 20,253 — 62.9 percent
No 11,971 — 37.2 percent

MEASURE 67 - BUSINESS TAX
Yes 19,783 — 61.4 percent
No 12,439 — 38.6 percent
*Unofficial returns as of 11:30 p.m., Tuesday

How Oregon voted

MEASURE 66 - PERSONAL TAX
Yes 609,201 - 54 percent
No 519,342 - 46 percent

MEASURE 67 - BUSINESS TAX
Yes 602,060 - 53 percent
No 524,636 - 47 percent
* Unofficial returns as of 11:30 p.m.

Photos



Jerry Jackson, Philomath City Council president, checks on returns. "I thought it would be closer," he said. (Scobel Wiggins | Gazette-Times)





Stella Guenther, Vice-Chair of Americans for Prosperity Benton County, and PJ Hunter keep company while election results come in. "I don't always get what I want," said Guenther, "but I don't let it keep me from trying to make things better." (Scobel Wiggins | Gazette-Times)

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I see the problem here in Benton County... justice isn't blind. --bc