Where do I stand?
Please click here for a detailed description of my policy work during two terms as your State Representative.
For a very general feel of how I approach the issues, click on one of the areas below.
Tax Fairness and Revenue Reform
Oregon needs tax reform. Principles of tax fairness, stability, and resistance to economic downturns must be balanced with the need for resource adequacy.
- Compliance. I support larger education and enforcement budgets for the Department of Revenue. Increased auditing and stronger penalties will pay for themselves many times over by bringing more taxpayers in compliance with the law.
- Fairness. I will work to cap tax giveaways. Out of every $1 of potential income tax revenue, the state gives away $0.45 in credits, deductions, and exemptions – sometimes without any corresponding public benefit. A 10% reduction in these tax breaks would generate as much as $1 billion in new revenue for schools and other vital services. Tax giveaways ought to be given the same level of scrutiny as other government expenditures.
- Stability. I support repealing the kicker. We should put some or all of the savings into a rainy-day fund so that we are prepared when the next economic downturn hits.
- Priorities. I will work to modify Measure 11. A decade of unchecked growth in our corrections budget has crowded out our ability to adequately fund schools.
