by independencenw | Jan 7, 2010 | advocacy
From WWeek:
BY NIGEL JAQUISS
What a way to start the new year.
We get to vote on raising taxes. Twice, actually.
Oregon voters will soon receive ballots asking them to vote on Measure 66, which would raise personal income taxes on the highest-income Oregonians, and Measure 67, which would increase corporate income taxes.
The Democratic-controlled Legislature already approved the tax hikes in 2009, but opponents then gathered enough signatures to put them on the ballot for voters to decide.
Tax policy is thorny. It’s never so simple as “taxes are good as long as someone else pays them.” In fact, if you take a close look at this state’s tax structure, you will often see a reflection of our collective psyche. Nothing speaks to the stubborn individualism of Oregon quite like our continued refusal to adopt a sales tax, for example.
To dispel some of the overheated rhetoric surrounding the tax hikes, here’s a look at how we got here and what our collective response to Measures 66 and 67 may say about Oregonians as we enter a new decade.
Oh, and WW’s editorial board also tells you at the end how we think you should vote.
What would Measure 66 do?
It would raise the state income tax rate from 9 percent to 10.8 percent on an individual’s personal income between $125,000 and $250,000, and to 11 percent on every dollar above $250,000. The measure would also eliminate the state income tax on the first $2,400 of unemployment income. The Legislative Revenue Office, which crunches numbers for lawmakers, projects fewer than 3 percent of Oregonians would pay this increased tax—that’s why some people call the measure “class warfare.”
How about Measure 67?
Measure 67 is a lot more complicated. First, corporations with no taxable income now pay a minimum $10 tax. This measure would raise the minimum to $150. It would also raise the corporate income tax rate on companies with profits to 7.9 percent, compared to the current 6.6 percent. This measure would do something completely new, as well: It would create a new tax on companies with more than $500,000 in annual sales but no taxable profits. All companies would pay the new minimum tax or the 7.9 percent tax on profits, whichever is higher.
Continue article here.
by independencenw | Jan 7, 2010 | advocacy, lgbtq, resource
What: CELEBRATE! A drag show featuring performers with developmental disabilities and allies
Date: Monday, January 11th, 2010.
Time: Door opens at 6:30pm, show 7:30-9:30pm
Where: Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center, 5340 N. Interstate Ave. (at Killingsworth)
See below for more info, or contact Bridges to Independence.
More information on their website.
From Willamette Week:
I’ll fess up. My 2010 resolution to keep an open mind was already tested when I read a recent email from Bridges to Independence, a local nonprofit that helps adults with developmental disablities learn life skills, from money management to job training and sex ed. “We’re holding a fundraiser featuring drag performances by artists with developmental disabilities and [their] allies,” wrote Bridges board president Emi Koyama. “The show will also launch the agency’s LGBTQ+DD Program to serve specific needs of those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer.” I’m all for supporting both the rights of gay and differently abled locals, but dressing up disabled people in wigs and heels and having them lip sync to Gloria Gaynor seems like the worst idea ever—or at least like a creepy, exploitative episode of Glee that never made it past the network brass. Not so, according to Koyama. She says a number of the 80-plus high-functioning people with developmental disablities (“DD” for short) at Bridges self-identify as gay—and there’s many more who need help and support revealing their sexuality to their families. Koyama, who is queer, hopes a big, bold coming-out party like this will be just the ticket to connect Portland’s DD community with gay allies—and have a little dragilicious fun in the process.
WW: Why is it hard for LGBTQ-DD people to come out?
Emi Koyama: People with DD in general are supposed to be non-sexual. [As recently as the past century] they were even sterilized and could not reproduce. There’s still this idea [in the DD community that] “My son or daughter [with DD] should never have anything to do with sex.” On top of that, obviously the [gay] taboo becomes more significant if your parents are conservative. Because many people with DD rely on parents for housing [and financial] support.
But a drag show? That seems too sexual.
It’s a way to get everybody involved and make a stand. In Portland, a drag show is not a big deal, but within this community it’s a really big deal…I want people to have pride. I am worried about how families of people with DD [in general] will react to this idea (although not those who already work with Bridges). Some people feel this is not appropriate for this community because they [think] individuals with DD are like children. But they are not children. They are adults. And most adults have some kind of sexual desire and identities and experiences. That’s often denied to people with disabilities. Even being seen as performers with a need to express themselves [is a] big deal…. [Next year] we’re applying for a grant to be in the Portland Pride Parade.
Do you have any idea what your clients will be performing to?
I think one performer [with DD] is doing “Barbie Girl.” And one of the drag kings said she wanted to do a country song. It’s still…developing.
by independencenw | Jan 7, 2010 | advocacy
A Message from the Yes on 66/67 Campaign:
The fight to protect Oregon’s schools and critical services is about to get even more exciting. This week, ballots for Measures 66 and 67 will begin arriving in mailboxes around the state.
We have just two short weeks to make sure that Oregonians get the facts, know what’s at stake, and Get Out The Vote! Right now, we’re winning, but winning on January 26 all depends on getting all of our supporters to turn out and vote YES. Contact the campaign today to find out how you can get involved to make sure that January 26 is a night for celebrating.
Now is the time to get involved and make sure that voters all over Oregon know only a YES vote will protect the services we care about, including over $390 million for education and other services for children, funding for lifesaving prescription drugs and home care that helps low-income seniors remain independent.
Already, over 600 Oregonians just like you have volunteered at the Vote Yes for Oregon Campaign, and hundreds more have given time through our more than 200 coalition partners.
Phone banks and neighborhood walks are happening in counties across the state. It’s easy to find and sign up for opportunities to talk to your neighbors about why we need to vote YES on 66 and 67!
