Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregonians will vote on a pair of tax measures next January.

The Secretary of State's office announced Thursday that opponents of those taxes have gathered enough valid signatures to force votes on the tax hikes. Chris Lehman reports from Salem.

Measure 66 would raise taxes on upper income earners.

Measure 67 would increase taxes and fees on corporations.

The Legislature passed both tax hikes in June as part of an effort to close a massive budget gap.

Voting “yes” in January means you agree with the Legislature. That's a message that tax supporters such as Defend Oregon are wasting no time in spreading.

Scott Moore: “I think a lot of people are still confused about what a ‘yes' means and what a ‘no' means.”

Spokesman Scott Moore says his group will even add the word “yes” to the name of its political action committee to help drive the point home.

But Pat McCormick of the opposition group Oregonians Against Job-Killing Taxes doesn't think there will be any confusion.

Pat McCormick: “We think voters know what they need to do in tax measures.”

For the record, McCormick's group advocates a “no” vote on each measure.

Online:

Text of Ballot Measure 66

Text of Ballot Measure 67