The Oregonian claims there is a better option than Measure 66 & 67, but what is that option? Apparently the "better" plan is taxing small businesses and the middle class.

The following is a look at the tax increases proposed by a coalition of associations that includes the Association of Oregon Industries and Associated General Contractors, leading funders of the opposition to Measures 66 and 67, and by the Oregon Business Association.

As you can tell from this chart, business associations proposed across-the-board tax increases that would raise taxes on the middle class and on small businesses, while large corporations and the rich would have paid less.  These are the alternatives that were on the table in the last legislative session, and are likely the plans that the Oregonian is pushing for.

The Oregonians Against Job Killing Taxes campaign has run a purposefully misleading campaign.

To quote Steve Novick, posting last Sunday on Blue Oregon, "If either of these plans had been adopted, small bakery owners really would have seen their taxes increase, soccer moms really would have to pay more. There really would have been a tax increase on small agriculture businessmen in Ontario and, of course, dairy farmers in Tillamook. Now, the Oregonian wants voters to reject the targeted tax increases in Measures 66 and 67, and seemingly wants the legislature to adopt across-the-board tax increases on struggling families and small businesses instead."

For a more detailed comparison of the AOI, OBA, and Legislative tax plans, click here (PDF).

For a copy of the AOI tax proposal, click here. (PDF)

For a copy of the OBA tax proposal, click here. (PDF)