Letter: Wake up and look at facts about M66 and 67 tax increases

CORVALLIS GAZETTE-TIMES/LETTERS, 1/15/2010 by Lou Copes - Economists have estimated these permanent tax increases would cost 70,000 Oregonians their jobs and the only jobs higher taxes would save are public employee jobs. ∴ The tax increases would be retroactive to Jan. 1, 2009, and no money to cover this tax increase has been with held from Oregonians' paychecks during all of 2009. ∴ Small businesses would be forced to lay off their workers, reduce wages and benefits, or close their doors. ∴ We should not send more money to Salem until state government can get its spending under control. ∴ The state already had $1 billion in extra cash reserves to spend with out enacting $733 million in tax increases. ∴ The Legislature refused to listen. Voters have rejected income tax increases twice before, but the legislature keeps coming back for more. NO MEANS NO!

Lou Copes
Corvallis