Oregon Public Broadcasting

This  weekend promises a final furious push of campaigning for a pair of ballot referrals.

Measure 66 raises income taxes for families that earn more than $250,000.  It raises nearly $500 million to balance the current state budget.

Measure 67 raises the minimum tax corporations pay from $10 to $150.  It also changes the way most corporations are taxed.  It raises more than $250 million to balance the current state budget.  

April Baer reports, advertising from both sides of the campaign continues to inform public debate.

Audience members at a special taping of OPB’s Think Out Loud grilled representatives from the Yes and No campaigns. Their questions suggested they’ve been watching the television ads sponsored by both sides of the campaign.

Jim Davis:  “I’m Jim Davis from Portland. I was wondering how the No campaign could justify saying 70,000 jobs would be lost if these measures passed?”

Mark Kramer “My name’s Mark Kramer, I have a small glass and door company in Portland. Why is state employees going to get a 2% pay raise, when my employees are taking every Friday and Monday off because they’re doing the work-share program?”

Actually, Yes campaigners point out there was no pay raise for state workers, as the opposition claims.

And the No campaign maintains local economists calculated the job loss claims over a period of time.

The Special Election is Tuesday.

To catch the full Think Out Loud election special, tune to OPB radio at 9 Friday morning or catch it on OPB TV or OPB Radio at 9 Friday night.