Big businesses need to pay their share
For more than two decades, Oregon has been disinvesting in our education system through legislative inaction, bad ballot measures and increased efforts to privatize school services. Additionally, we’ve experienced deep cuts to art, library, physical education and music programs, as well as drastic reductions in counseling and student support services. These actions have made us national trendsetters — and not in a good way. Oregon has the second-shortest school year, the third-highest class sizes and the third-lowest investment in higher education among the 50 states.
Oregon’s education system has become a national embarrassment. Our children are being unfairly punished through the shortsightedness of others. So, how did we get here?
Oregon happens to have the LOWEST corporate tax rate in the nation. Big out-of-state businesses are “living the dream” on the backs of those who can least afford it — Oregon’s working class. While corporations rake in profits, and send those profits back to their out-of-state headquarters, Oregonians are stuck with the costs of maintaining our state infrastructure. Without additional revenue to cover increasing maintenance costs over the years, we have seen a downward spiral in education, health care and senior services funding.
How do we change this? Ballot Initiative Petition (IP) 28 calls for adjusting the corporate tax rate on businesses whose Oregon sales exceed $25 million per year. The ballot title assigned to IP 28 reads: “Increases corporate minimum tax when sales exceed $25 million; funds education, healthcare (sic), senior service.” This adjustment would raise millions of dollars in revenue that could be dedicated to necessary services. The end result would be an adequately funded school system, and we would no longer be a national embarrassment.
Would IP 28 cause big businesses to leave Oregon? Probably not, as this initiative would still keep Oregon’s corporate rate as one of the lowest in the nation. This initiative will help level the playing field for local businesses by making large out-of-state corporations pay their fair share.
How can we help effect this change? A Better Oregon is a coalition of labor and community partners who have joined together to put the needs of Oregon’s students, families and communities ahead of big business. I am proud to say OSEA is a member of this coalition. A Better Oregon is working to gather a sufficient number of signatures for IP 28 to become a ballot measure this November.
There are four ways every OSEA member can help:
- Sign the petition. This is the most important thing members can do. The easiest way is to sign online at abetteroregon.org.
- Show your support for the initiative by displaying signs or placards at home. You will receive materials from A Better Oregon once you sign online.
- Volunteer some time to help circulate the petition and gather signatures. Those interested can go to abetteroregon.org/volunteer and sign up.
- Spread the word about the initiative and how it will help Oregon schools.
We have a large task ahead of us, but the end result will be huge for the state. I am asking for your help in building A Better Oregon.
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