Returning about $11 million of the $230 million SB 1528 takes from Oregon’s small businesses
“I voted for HB 4301 because it does return some of the SB 1528 tax increases to some businesses,” Rep. Gene Whisnant (R-Sunriver) commented. “However, I’ll use Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi’s description and report that this bill returns only ‘crumbs’ to our important small businesses. Also, I wish I was voting to repeal SB 1528.”
After signing a controversial bill from the 2018 session, Governor Kate Brown called a special session on May 21, 2018 to pass one bill (HB 4301) which gives a small tax break ($11 million per year) to a small group of sole proprietorship businesses in Oregon.
SB 1528 which passed in the 2018 session with “bipartisan opposition” in the Senate and House takes away $230 million per year tax benefits agreed to during the 2013 “Grand Bargain” Special Session agreement.
Rep. Whisnant reported, “You will read other vote explanations of how this bill does help or who really benefits. I understand some voted NO because it was not enough and some voted NO because it was too much. In fact, some Democrats tried to increase taxes to offset this loss of revenue.”
Article V, section 12 of the Oregon Constitution requires “an extraordinary occasion” to convene a special session.” According to the Oregon Blue Book, Oregon has held 40 special sessions starting in October 1860. In 2002, there were 5 special sessions.
“Entering the legislature in Sept. 2003; I have served in six special sessions including the 19-day special session in 2008 and the 25-day special session in Feb. 2010. These were the special sessions to see if we could meet every year. Of course, we could, but should we?
“The 2012 one-day special session approved a Nike tax deal before Nike would commit to an expanded building plan. The timing was to take advantage of a 30 Republican House membership.
Many submit that the 2018 special session is for political reasons and not for an “extraordinary occasion.”
