Portland Mayor: Arts Tax flaw 'is just silly'

KOIN:

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Portland's Arts Tax, as written, may need to go back to the drawing board.That's according to the Portland Mayor Charlie Hales' office. According to a news release from the mayor's office Monday, "The Arts Tax, as approved by voters in November 2012, contains a significant flaw, and the Portland City Council will take action this month to address the issue."The tax was voted into law by Portland voters in November. It involves a $35 fee, paid to the City of Portland by April 15. Collections are to fund Portland school teachers and art-focused non-profit organizations in Portland. "As written, any Portland resident with any income -- living in a household above the poverty line -- has to pay the $35 annual arts tax," according to the mayor's office statement. "So, in a household that is above the poverty line, a teenager who made $10 last year dog-sitting is expected to pay $35 of that $10 to the arts tax."     * See KOIN's investigation into the "Portland Arts Tax: Who's exempt, and why?KOIN has learned that Portland's city council will discuss a change to the tax at its March 27 meeting. We're being told they plan to set an income minimum of $1,000; the tax won't apply to anyone making less than that in a year."No one crafting this tax intended this to be the rule," Mayor Charlie Hales said Monday in a prepared statement. "This is just silly. And we need to move right now to address the Law of Unintended Consequences."If approved by city council, the change would be "effective immediately and would affect Portland residents paying this year's arts tax," according to the mayor's office. The mayor's office communications director says those making less than $1,000, who've already paid the $35 tax, should be able to contact city Revenue staff for a refund.Related KOIN.com resources:How to pay this tax and the penalties/enforcement for not paying itVideo: Portland Arts Tax: They'll want some personal ID information Portland charges convenience fee for online arts tax payment

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