Oregon’s Tax the Wealthy and Corporations measures win big

by David Safier

Oregon voters passed two tax hikes Tuesday: one to raise taxes on people with taxable incomes over $125,000 ($250,000 for couples) and the other to increase taxes on corporations.

The margin was 54-46.

In case you're thinking this is typical of "progressive Oregon":

The double-barreled victory is the first voter-approved statewide income tax increase since the 1930s. . . . Voters rejected income tax increases twice in recent years.

I lived in Oregon over 30 years and saw tax cuts and other anti-state revenue measures passed on an alarmingly regular basis. I never saw anything like this.

And, though the biggest margins were in the urban areas,

Even in more conservative areas, support was stronger than expected.

The strategy employed by the supporters of the measure was geared toward creating an emotional reaction that would offset the "job losses" meme Republicans use every time they fight against corporate taxes.

Tuesday's strong support also validated a strategy by Democratic lawmakers to single out the rich and corporations for targeted tax increases.

Campaign ads by supporters highlighted banks and credit card companies and showed images of well-dressed people stepping off private jets. They also hammered on the $10 minimum tax that most corporations have paid since its inception in 1931.

Those messages helped counter warnings by opponents that the taxes would lead to job losses, worsening the state's 11 percent unemployment rate, and prompt wealthy residents to move elsewhere.

A few days ago, I stated my belief that a well conceived Democratic push for taxes on those who have profited from the economy that has swamped the rest of us is a winner in Arizona. Dems will probably do a good job presenting a united front against Republican legislative madness, but they have to stand for something as well as against something.

The Republicans are apparently rolling out an 80-20 strategy in national races this year: attack Dem policies 80% of the time, promote R policies 20% of the time. I'm willing to bet their 20% will be forceful and headline grabbing.

AZ state Dem candidates are the rough equivalent of Congressional R candidates, fighting against the majority. We have plenty of ways to bash Republicans, but we also need to come out strong enough on our issues that people will say, "The Dems have a program worth voting for." That's what it takes to sway the persuadables and get Democrats to go to the trouble of marking their ballots for state races.