Senate President Peter Courtney, “we will tax anything or increase any fee we can get our hands on”
Well, at least he admits that Democrats will indeed tax anything they can get there hands on. That’s a start. After all, the first of the 12 steps of change is “We admit we are powerless over alcohol [budget]—that our lives have become unmanageable.” Just 11 more steps to go.
Seriously, consider this quote from Senate President Peter Courtney:
Q: The governor proposed various tax increases. How much of that is factored into this budget, and what are the issues that are going to revolve around that?
A: This is a very difficult issue for us, and even for Democrats. I know that people think we will tax anything or increase any fee we can get our hands on, but there are some difficult revenue questions before us.
Q: Do you think there will be some kind of tax increases or fee increases?
A: Oh, sure. Absolutely. I don’t see how we can get through this.
May we have permission to interject a thought? The State of Oregon literally (we’re not kidding) has money falling out of its ears. In fact, the Governor has so much money that he is adding some 1,500 new positions to Oregon Government!
Let us consider a hypothetical question: Your business is struggling because the economy is on a downturn. You currently have 50 employees. Unfortunately, you cannot afford to pay all 50 of them. So, you let 10 employees go and downsize operations until the economy gets back going again.
Not if you’re the State of Oregon.
If you’re the Governor, you higher 20 more employees and cut necessary company services (veterans affairs, for example). Now, you’re still the governor, so guess what you do with these employees? You increase your Department of Human Services by 18%, and increase your Department of Administrative Services by 23%.
Wait a minute; I thought there was a budget crisis?
