FOX: Oregon launching new program to tax drivers per mile

(Hat tip: Linda Bartcher) - Oregon is moving ahead with a controversial plan to tax motorists based on the number of miles they drive as opposed to the amount of fuel they consume, raising myriad concerns about cost and privacy. ✧ The program, springing out of a recently signed bill, is expected to launch in 2015 on a volunteer basis. But it’s charting relatively new territory, and other states aching for additional tax revenue are sure to be watching closely to see whether to imitate the model. Read more at Fox News...

(Hat tip: Kristie Hernandez) - See video with Neil Cavuto on Fox Business Read More......

From Senator Morse: Health Care Presentation

To: Benton County Republicans
Subject: Health Finance Reform
Please circulate this power point as it frames the issues that were presented recently in the GT.
Thanks,
Frank
[Sen. Frank Morse]

See screenshots of individual slides from Health Care Presentation.pptx (Sorry, I couldn't download it as a power point):



















Read More......

The Issues, according to Sen.-Elect Scott Brown's campaign website

Here are the issues that Senator-elect Scott Brown ran on, according to his campaign website: "Why I'm Running... America is a great country but we also have some challenges that we need to solve if we're going to remain the world's superpower. The most important of our challenges is getting the U.S. economy moving again. People are hurting as they struggle to make ends meet. They're worried about their future, and that of their children and grandchildren. I want to ensure that we leave them an America that is financially stronger and independent: minus a national debt that we can never repay."

Health Care
I believe that all Americans deserve health care coverage, but I am opposed to the health care legislation that is under consideration in Congress and will vote against it. It will raise taxes, increase government spending and lower the quality of care, especially for elders on Medicare. I support strengthening the existing private market system with policies that will drive down costs and make it easier for people to purchase affordable insurance. In Massachusetts, I support the 2006 healthcare law that was successful in expanding coverage, but I also recognize that the state must now turn its attention to controlling costs.

Economy
I am a free enterprise advocate who believes that lower taxes can encourage economic growth. Raising taxes stifles growth, weakens the economy and puts more people out of work. Our economy works best when individuals have more of their income to spend, and businesses have money to invest and add jobs. I have been a fiscal watchdog in the state legislature fighting bigger government, higher taxes and wasteful spending.

Energy and Environment
I support common-sense environment policy that will help to reduce pollution and preserve our precious open spaces. I realize that without action now, future generations will be left to clean up the mess we leave. In order to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, I support reasonable and appropriate development of alternative energy sources such as wind, solar, nuclear, geothermal and improved hydroelectric facilities. I oppose a national cap and trade program because of the higher costs that families and businesses would incur.

Education
I am passionate about improving the quality of our public schools. Accountability and high standards are paramount. I support choice through charter schools, as well as the MCAS exam as a graduation requirement. I have worked to ensure that all children have access to a quality education. I am a strong advocate for the METCO program, which provides lower income students with broader educational opportunities.

Immigration
I recognize that our strength as a nation is built on the immigrant experience in America. I welcome legal immigration to this country. However, we are also a nation of laws and government should not adopt policies that encourage illegal immigration. Providing driver’s licenses and in-state tuition to illegal immigrant families will act as a magnet in drawing more people here in violation of the law and it will impose new costs on taxpayers. I oppose amnesty, and I believe we ought to strengthen our border enforcement and institute an employment verification system with penalties for companies that hire illegal immigrants.

Veterans
As a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army National Guard, I am uniquely aware of the importance and sacrifice of our men and women serving in the military. I have been a vigorous supporter of legislation providing benefits to returning service members, as well as, benefits for the families of those killed in action. I believe we need to recognize the sacrifice of all of our servicemembers by keeping better track of returning military personnel so they get the services they deserve. That includes providing them with first-class medical care and other benefits to which they are entitled. I am known as a leader on veterans' issues through my work on the Veterans and Federal Affairs Committee, the Hidden Wounds of War Commission, and the Governor's Task Force on Returning Veterans.

Gun issues
I support the Second Amendment and believe that citizens have the right to keep and bear arms as a basic constitutional liberty. I support safe and responsible gun ownership.

Death penalty
I believe there are some crimes that are so heinous that they deserve capital punishment. Our Government should have the ability to impose the death penalty in cases where it is justified.

Abortion
While this decision should ultimately be made by the woman in consultation with her doctor, I believe we need to reduce the number of abortions in America. I believe government has the responsibility to regulate in this area and I support parental consent and notification requirements and I oppose partial birth abortion. I also believe there are people of good will on both sides of the issue and we ought to work together to support and promote adoption as an alternative to abortion.

Marriage
I believe marriage is between a man and a woman. States should be free to make their own laws in this area, so long as they reflect the people's will as expressed through them directly, or as expressed through their elected representatives.

Israel
Israel has made enormous sacrifices in an attempt to secure peace – including unilateral withdrawal from Gaza. I support a two-state solution that reaffirms Israel’s right to exist and provides the Palestinians with a place of their own where both sides can live in peace and security. As our closest ally in the Middle East, Israel lives every day under the threat of terror yet shares with America a dedication to democratic ideals, a respect for faith, and a commitment to peace in the region. Until a lasting peace is achieved, I support the security barrier erected by Israel which has proven successful in protecting Israeli civilians from terrorist attacks.

Iran
I support the bi-partisan Iran sanctions bill and believe that until Ahmadinejad gives up his nuclear ambitions he should be isolated from the rest of the world. With its reckless pursuit of nuclear weapons, Iran represents the biggest threat to Israel. Ahmadinejad is a Holocaust denier who has threatened to wipe Israel off the map. Meeting with him confers legitimacy when the only correct response is to treat him as an outcast. A personal meeting with Ahmadinejad, as suggested by my opponent, would embolden him and be used as a propaganda tool to strengthen his position.

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Note: According to internal polling, Scott Brown's message on national security and opposition to trying terrorists in federal court ranked high with voters.

On Tuesday, January 19, 2010, Scott Brown was elected to "the people's seat" to serve as the junior senator from Massachusetts, filling-out the remaining term of deceased Sen. Ted Kennedy. Here are Brown's election night remarks.

Read More......

EXCLUSIVE: Senator's husband's firm cashes in on crisis

WASHINGTON POST, 4/21/2009, by Chuch Neubauer - On the day the new Congress convened this year, Sen. Dianne Feinstein introduced legislation to route $25 billion in taxpayer money to a government agency that had just awarded her husband's real estate firm a lucrative contract to sell foreclosed properties at compensation rates higher than the industry norms. ∴ Mrs. Feinstein's intervention on behalf of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. was unusual: the California Democrat isn't a member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs with jurisdiction over FDIC; and the agency is supposed to operate from money it raises from bank-paid insurance payments - not direct federal dollars. Read more at the Washington Post... Read More......

LETTER: Consider urban renewal district in the long term

CORVALLIS GAZETTE-TIMES, 3/3/2009 by John Detweiler - In May, Corvallis is going to vote on establishing an urban renewal district in downtown Corvallis and paying for it with tax incremental financing.

Those who are for the urban renewal district tell us that this financing will not increase our taxes. However, money will be diverted away from financing general government to financing the renewal district over a 20-year period, which may well result in local governments raising taxes to make up for this lost revenue.

Urban renewal districts in other cities have cost the Corvallis School District over nine teachers so far. If we vote in our URD, Corvallis will lose a fraction of another teacher each year for a period of 20 years.

And, our other local taxing bodies will lose $23.4 million dollars over this 20-year period.

Readers can refer to http://www.peak.org/~detweij for the details on how I computed these numbers.

If we enact the URD, we will have committed over $23 million for the next 20 years at a time when Oregon’s economy and government finances are in complete disarray. Is this a prudent thing to do? Will our local governments try to raise taxes to cover important requirements that we can only guess at now?

John H. Detweiler, Corvallis

See also: CORVALLIS GAZETTE-TIMES OPINION - Editorial: Morse right to seek Rainy Day Fund refill Read More......

Daschle has tax issues

WASHINGTON (AP) - Former Sen. Tom Daschle, picked by President Barack Obama to lead his health reform efforts, recently filed amended tax returns to report $128,203 in back taxes and $11,964 in interest, according to a Senate document obtained by The Associated Press.

The White House acknowledged Friday that "some tax issues" had emerged in connection with the nomination, but a spokesman said the president is confident the former Senate Democratic leader will be confirmed as the new health secretary. Read more at Breitbart News... Read More......