Oregon Public Broadcasting

Advocates for children spoke at Portland's Washington Park Tuesday in opposition to Ballot Measure 59.

The measure would allow individuals to deduct all federal income taxes paid from their Oregon taxable income.

Children First for Oregon, Stand for Children and the Defend Oregon Coalition have joined with others to rally against the measure they say will drastically harm the stateÕs critical programs, like  education and programs to help uninsured and foster children.

Dana Hepper of Stand for Children says that with the price of gasoline and a loaf of bread skyrocketing most families are already feeling financially squeezed.

Dana Hepper: "Unfortunately Measure 59 would do absolutely nothing to help the hard-working, middle class families that my former students are growing up in. Measure 59 provides zero tax relief for more than 75% of Oregon's families. Instead most of the tax breaks go to the wealthiest one percent of Oregonians."

The advocates also say that state economists estimate the measure would cost the state up to $2.4 billion in lost revenue. And that most Oregonians would save less than a dollar if it passes.