Who is Behind the Referendum to Overturn Hard-Fought Legislative Revenue Package?

Publication Date: September 2003

Publisher: Democracy Reform Oregon

Author(s): Janice Thompson

Research Area: Politics

Type: News release

Coverage: Oregon

Abstract:

Analysis of the political committees of the two groups behind the anti-tax referendum reveal differences in terms of local versus national leadership and grassroots versus big donor fundraising. Signature gathering has begun to put referendum 401 on the ballot. The referendum seeks to overturn the Oregon legislature's revenue package, effectively destroying the budget agreement that ended Oregon's record-breaking legislative session. The revenue deal included a three-year graduated income tax surcharge, increases in the corporate minimum tax, reduces corporate tax credits, extends the cigarette tax increase through 2005, and avoids over $500 million in cuts to education, human services, and public safety.