Oregon Public Broadcasting

Democrats Bill Bradbury and John Kitzhaber sounded more like the friends they’ve been for 30 years than like rivals for governor during their latest appearance, on OPB’s Think Out Loud, Monday night.

Both Bradbury and Kitzhaber acknowledged that it’s been uncomfortable running against each other. But that didn’t stop them from having some policy disagreements.

On taxes - former governor, Kitzhaber, favors reducing the capital gains tax, in certain circumstances.

John Kitzhaber: “It would be worth looking at deferring some capital gains tax, if those dollars were reinvested in an Oregon job-producing asset that actually produced family wage jobs.”   

Bradbury criticized the capital gains’ proposal as reducing the tax burden on those he says can afford to pay.

Bill Bradbury: “Why relieve tax burdens on certain very wealthy individuals, when we clearly understand that our state is facing a significant budget deficit?”

Bradbury proposes scaling back  tax credits to shore up the state budget – an idea that Kitzhaber says would be difficult, politically.