Oregonians overwhelmingly rejected a state plan to raise taxes by $800 million Tuesday, defeating Ballot Measure 30 approximately 60% to 40%.
In Linn county, the gap was even wider, approximately 70% to 30%.
The three year tax hike enacted by the Oregon Legislature, was supported in only one county, Benton.
Although Gov. Ted Kulongoski and other elected officials predicted “doom and gloom” if Ballot Measure 30 was not supported by taxpayers, Tuesday’s vote indicated the voters were not to be swayed.
In January 2003, Oregon voters rejected Ballot Measure 28 which would have increased taxes by $313 million. After five special sessions and failure to reach a budget concensus, the Oregon legislature enacted the massive tax plan but found the general public wasn’t going to swallow it, gathering signatures to place the issue on the ballot.