Tax Alert Notice:
These six tax increase bills are being considered by the short 35-day February Legislative Session.
Carbon Tax (72-cent gas tax): SB 1530 Aims to reduce Greenhouse gas emissions by 80% of 1990 levels by 2050 by taxing Oregon emission companies. It is expected to raise the cost of gasoline from 22 to 72 cents, increase natural gas prices 13% for homes and 53% for businesses and bring in as much as $700 million in Carbon Tax revenue.
20% Hotel tax increase: HB4047 raises the state lodging tax by 20%.
Allows DEQ to create a Mattress Bed Tax: SB 1564 Allows the Department of Environmental Quality to impose a sales tax on new mattresses to fund a mandatory mattress recycling program.
Car sales tax to subsidize electric cars: HB 4151 increases the car sales tax and imposes a 1% tax on electric bills, to pay for increased subsidies of Teslas and other electric cars.
Sales Tax on Homes: HJR203 would remove the voter-approved ban on taxes on the sale of homes by allowing a new real estate transfer tax on homes over $500,000. HJR 203 would be a referral to voters.
Construction Tax to fund affordable housing: HB 4084 Imposes a new system development charge tax on construction of apartments or adding units to existing apartments located in rural areas.
Other bills in the public interest:
Block lawmaker walk-outs: SJR 201 is referral to voters to change the quorum requirement for the Legislature to conduct business from a super-majority to a simple majority quorum.
Gun restrictions: SB 1538 lets local governments prohibit guns on their property and HB 4005 requires firearms (when not being carried) be trigger/cable locked or in a locked container.
Coyote hunting: HB 4075 bans coyote-killing contests.
School and church threats: Crime of threatening a school or a place of worship. HB 4145 Vaping flavor ban: SB 1559 bans sale of flavored vaping products.
Business sales tax exemptions: HB 4154 exempts food and Ag products and HB 4138 exempts prescription drugs from new business sales tax.
— The Taxpayer Foundation aims to keep you informed on these important bills.
