Rural and tribal communities are some of the first groups to feel the effects of climate change and the resulting impact on their livelihoods. Extreme weather, reduced snowpack and stream flow, and abnormal wildfires exacerbated by climate change are already having impacts on farm production, forest health, and the well-being of rural communities and landscapes.

In coordination with the Measure 103 campaign, Public Affairs Counsel has brought on Jake Pelroy to assist with OSCC grassroots advocacy efforts in support of Measure 103. We are excited to have him on board. Jake will be reaching out individually to provide local chambers with campaign resources and materials. 

In July, the OSCC Board of Directors voted to support Measure 103 to keep groceries tax free. Measure 103 would prohibit state and local taxes on groceries. If approved, the measure would permanently block taxes on groceries without specific voter approval.

Over 20 years ago, Oregonians voted to require the legislature to have a 3/5th supermajority vote on any legislation that raises taxes. Since then, legislators have found loopholes that allow for tax increases without the required vote, often calling them fees, assessments, or threatening to reduce critical tax deductions for businesses. Measure 104 closes these loopholes and helps maintain leverage on key issues in Salem.

In just a couple of months, Oregonians will be voting on Measure 104, one of the most important issues to ever hit our state. Measure 104 ensures that any legislation that raises revenue requires a three-fifths majority vote. This includes fees or the elimination of tax exemptions, deductions or credits - making it clear that Oregonians are done with politicians working behind closed doors to increase taxes.

Yesterday evening, OSCC joined OBI and the Oregon Forest & Industries Council at the Cleaner Air Oregon rulemaking hearing in Eugene. OSCC was one of 11 organizations to provide public comment in response to the Cleaner Air Oregon rules. Click here to view testimony.

House Bill 4301 - the Governor's bill to allow sole proprietors to take advantage of Oregon's lower tax rates for pass-through businesses - passed the House 51-8 and passed the Senate 18-12. No other bills were considered.

The purpose of the Special Session is to pass LC 1 (linked here), which allows sole proprietors (with at least 1,200 employee hours) to take advantage of Oregon's lower tax rates for "pass-through" businesses. LC 1 is Governor Brown's bill.