Quick Hits: catching up on the weekend
Kari Chisholm
Hmmm. I seem to have entirely blacked out the weekend. Not sure what sort of brain trauma could have caused that. Oh well! Here's some news you may have missed:
- The OEA and AFT-Oregon are once again taking the fight with Bill Sizemore to the courts. They're alleging that he lied under oath when he said he didn't know anything about the American Tax Research Foundation, funded by sexual hypnotist Loren Parks. For the first time, they're also suing Parks, who is also a sugar-daddy for Oregon right-wingers (despite living in Nevada.) From the AP:
The unions claim Sizemore and Parks conspired to set up a sham charitable organization to hide money used to gather signatures and promote four ballot measures in 2008, including measures on teacher merit pay and public employee unions.
The racketeering complaint asks for $18 million in damages, or about three times the amount the unions spent to defeat the ballot measures.
It also seeks to ensure that Parks does not use any charitable organizations to contribute money to political causes in Oregon, where he has spent millions over the years.
- According to the O's Jeff Mapes, gubernatorial candidate Bill Bradbury told the City Club of Eugene that he'd consider asking voters to set a hard cap on the value of tax expenditures - as well as reducing tax credits on interest paid for expensive homes.
- Also Mapes: Chris Dudley has filed a campaign committee, which would allow him to raise money, and launched a website. Still no word on his views on, well, anything.
- The City of Portland's effort to redevelop the Rose Quarter seems to be picking up steam - and they're soliciting ideas. The Trail Blazers have their own ideas and want you to check 'em out. They're calling their concept "JumpTown". More from Willamette Week and the Mercury.
- After a false start with a state parole board post, former state senator Vicki Walker has landed a job as the USDA's director of rural development for Oregon.
- The state lottery commission voted to maintain the generous subsidy payments to bars and taverns. Last year, 2300 venues got an average payment of $80,000 to sweep up around the video poker machines and make change for gamblers. That was a total of $187 million that wasn't spent on schools and economic development. Progressive activists unsuccessfully argued for a reduction in the subsidy. Coverage from Brent Walth at the O.
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connect with blueoregon
10:28 a.m.
Nov 3, '09
just wondering how petty and/or mean it would be to note the absence of the biggest news of the weekend: the Ducks' dismantling of USC? ok, not on the same level of magnitude as Scozzafazza or the Afghan non-election, but damn, 613 yards of total offense? wow.
Nov 3, '09
Hasn't the state legislature started working on sunsetting tax breaks?
What would be really useful from the Bradbury campaign would be to add to the Measures 66 & 67 debate by producing statistics (I'm sure LRO or someone has them) on the amount of current tax breaks and what percent of the Oregon budget they are. I heard that statistic on the radio or something but have never seen it in print.
If memory serves, while Speaker Minnis was saying "the voters have spoken on Measure 30" (as if that precluded any discussion of tax reform) there were tax breaks created that session.
I doubt Republicans want to publicly confront the truth that tax breaks must be paid for somehow---revenue or budget cuts---because they are EXPENDITURES !
Nov 3, '09
Progressive activists unsuccessfully argued for a reduction in the subsidy.
Well, if any had doubt that Kari loves to use the word progressive but has not a clue about what it means...
Stand on the Backs of Children is not what most progressives regard as progressive. My casual sample of progs and Ls found no support for reducing the payments.
I wouldn't get exicited about Oregon's chances at a national title. Harringon was a lucky fluke in 80 years of always finding a way to diddle rover.
11:47 a.m.
Nov 3, '09
Kudos to Bradbury! I'm glad to see a candidate for governor presenting some ideas rather than just process.
I like his proposal on limiting the tax deductions for second and expensive homes. His proposal to limit tax deductions and credits to a percentage of the general fund is a new idea to me. I'd need to hear more. I'm not excited by a gross receipts tax.
And I think taxing the profits of foreign subsidiaries of Oregon Corporations as he proposes is a terrible idea. It would provide an incentive for companies selling abroad not to locate in Oregon. We need to sell more, not less, abroad because that is where economic growth will be.
I'd like to hear more about his Oregon Innovation Education Fund. Does he really agree with the conditions and priorities of the federal "Race to the Top" competition? Or, what does he have in mind?
Nov 3, '09
Chris is just waiting for that grassroots groundswell of support to materialize to propel him to the highest office in the state after being known as a mediocre center for the Trailblazers and what else?
He's running exactly, why?
Nov 3, '09
LT says: "I doubt Republicans want to publicly confront the truth that tax breaks must be paid for somehow---revenue or budget cuts---because they are EXPENDITURES !"
Good point, and the first place to start is Sleepy Ted's pet "business energy tax credit." For a full review of this $410 million dollar disaster (2009-2013), see the Oregonian editorial and Harry Esteve's article.
Oh… wait… never mind…… as a matter of public policy we shouldn't be looking critically at a Democratic Governor's tax policy, particularly when it centers on a feel good subject like green energy.
http://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2009/11/business_energy_tax_credits_su.html http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/10/state_lowballed_cost_of_green.html
Nov 3, '09
Like with so many other left wing policy disasters here in Oregon, BlueOregon is covering up this energy tax credit scandal.
3:38 p.m.
Nov 3, '09
Who appoints the members of the lottery commission and how are they selected? If most of them were appointed by Kulongoski and he wasn't forced to pick certain people then shame on him. While you can make a case that rocking the boat for any business in this recession may reduce lottery income, locking in for 5 years is insane or just sheer corrupt. Long term the rates are higher than necessary to maximize income to the state and therefore violate the law establishing the lottery. This was not set up as a subsidy to the restaurant/bar industry, but a source of revenue for the state. Can the lottery commission be sued for violation of the law?
Nov 3, '09
The only reason the Lottery did not adjust contracts is because the Lottery is running scared of the Oregon Restaurant Association (or whatever they are calling themselves these days). The video poker gross handle is down about 25% compared to last year. Video lottery feeds off the lowest rung of the retail gambling ladder. The payout percentage is so low that the Mob would be embarrassed to offer it. I have a friend who owns a couple bars with video poker and his advertising motto is "We Cheat The Other Guy and Pass the Savings on to You". You would be surprised at how many people comment about how they appreciate the special treatment they are receiving due to his motto. People are morons!
Nov 3, '09
Posted by: Richard | Nov 3, 2009 2:30:39 PM
Like with so many other left wing policy disasters here in Oregon, BlueOregon is covering up this energy tax credit scandal.
Richard's Theme (Crawlin' King Snake) "I'm a dittoin' one-eyed snake, but I bitch like a hen".
awww, you're not worth the effort even.
This the only place you've learned to cut/copy/paste? You make me want to rip the balls off every TEA protester and string them end to end, from coast to coast. Now that's patriotism.
Twit #bringbackdueling, if you're not a complete coward, or just shut the f*ck up!
Yeah, I know editorial policy is IGNORE the trolls, INSULT the progressives. I'm going rogue.
Every responsible member of the Republic- anyone that has a right to say anything- did two things today. They voted and did whatever they could to make a TEA protesters life hell. One just came home now, living below me, after a hard day gathering unemployment and agitating for stupidity. I've had to put duct tape on my heating vents to block the heavy level of second hand smoke that comes up. I am going to go right now and insert a tube into the tape of the vent that allows the most airflow between the apts, take a party bong hit of weed and blow it into his bedroom.
If they get their way on any major issues, I'm going to buy a jerk-off doll, paint it to look like Sarah Palin, and leave it used in the backseat of his car. We have to get serious with these people.
Maybe I should have had a placard today. Tweet #bringbackdueling! "Legislation to break legislative gridlock".
Nov 3, '09
If Eileen and Richard weren't so hip-deep into their own narrow and flawed economic ideologies, they would know that many BO contributors (specifically Chuck Sheketoff) and readers alike were never fans of the numerous tax credits passed by both parties over the last 10 years.
Start with "A 12-Step Recovery Process for Tax Credit Addicts" and work from there.
Nov 3, '09
Rude Pundit, is that you, posting as "Lord Beaverbrook"?
Nov 3, '09
Gee what a noble cause for the OEA. BIG surprise. Yawwwwn.
4 kids?
9:39 p.m.
Nov 3, '09
"Like with so many other left wing policy disasters here in Oregon, BlueOregon is covering up this energy tax credit scandal."
Are you kidding, drunk, or stupid?
Here at BlueOregon, Chuck Sheketoff and others have writing critically about this forever. Just type BETC into that little google box, and you'll see. The only reason it's a scandal now is that the O is covering it -- probably because it's being pushed by the anti 66 and 67 crowd. Nevermind that those same businesses love BETC. It's all a cynical ploy.
You are aware that the "left wing" Legislature passed a bill to trim BETC last year -- but the Governor vetoed it, right?
Of course, we shouldn't be surprised that Kulongoski has stuck to his guns on it. After all, it was the centerpiece of his reelection campaign. He's keeping the promises he made to the voters.
Sheesh, go take your Freeper talking points back over to NWRepublican.
Nov 4, '09
They're alleging that he lied under oath when he said he didn't know anything about the American Tax Research Foundation, funded by sexual hypnotist Loren Parks. For the first time, they're also suing Parks, who is also a sugar-daddy for Oregon right-wingers (despite living in Nevada.)
Yeah, that sucks doesn't it? Local should be local and national, national. So, what was Carla's piece about the ballot measure on marriage in WA state? Though, if Carla is playing intellectual sugar daddy, I'm prepared to vote as instructed, I can tell you!
Steady on. Right. The semiotics of that paragraph is so American. Dripping with repressed sexuality, we don't address the fact that his "profession" is only legitimate because prostitution is repressed. Also, by the PC standards practiced here, it's a gay slur.
Nov 4, '09
Kari: The story about the BETC isn't the fact that Sheketov has criticized the program in the past. The story is the GOVERNOR blatantly pressured his own agency to lowball the cost, which ended up being laughably smaller than the actual cost.
So the story is of corruption by the chief executive of Oregon. And BlueOregon has ignored it completely.
I am sure it would be uncomfortable for you to actually cover it. Which is why BlueOregon is more about protecting a particular political machine than it is about any true or honest political conversation.
Nov 4, '09
Nice try Kari, But my story here is that BO is covering up the Governor Kulongoski/Energy department defrauding of the legislature in order to get legislation passed.
He's just keeping promises?
Oh my what a spin.
Nov 4, '09
Actually Kari, according to Dean Wormer it's "fat, drunk and stupid." No kidding.
Nov 4, '09
Beav:
20 paces..........
Nov 4, '09
Bang.
goodbye
Nov 4, '09
Miss, ya, Bev. I said twitter, twit!
1:27 a.m.
Nov 5, '09
Please explain to me how BlueOregon can "cover up" something that has been on the front page of the Oregonian.
Nov 5, '09
Please explain to me how a front page story in the Oregonian that hands both tax increase opponents and every Republican on the ballot next year an early Christmas present is not covered by Blue Oregon.
Dec 3, '09
Posted by: Richard | Nov 3, 2009 2:30:39 PM
<h2>What a shit for brains!</h2>