They're playing "Walking On Sunshine," now.
Now if I'd have known they were gonna do that I would have voted NO!!!!!

I'm very happy this passed, I understand the precedent that this sets, the opposition to this bill was very substantial, and it's undoubtedly good news for oregon.

but it's sad that "the greatest bill oregon has passed since she became a state" is a paltry tax on oregon's top 3%. I'm not trying to diminish the super hard work put in by the organizers, but this is hardly the sort of progressive, awe-inspiring, game-altering sweeping change that it's being made out to be. It's going to take citizens voting for sacrifices on people beyond those earning more than $125000 before we get there.
We've got a long way to go before we can espouse Oregon as a truly equitable, progressive utopian model of governance.

/buzzkill>

@ambrown: I think the important thing to take away isn't the small change to taxes in Oregon that will occur. Instead, it's the fact that Oregonians voted to raise taxes. That Oregonians voted to do the right thing. It shows that we can do this, and gives up hope that we can do more in the future.

Will this now force rich people to leave Oregon? Because nearly every rich person I've met was kind of a dick.

so does this mean we now have the will and wit to elect an effective city government?
just sayin'

Let's not get crazy here Rabblevox.
Baby Steps...

I agree with ambrown, here. Very glad this passed but it's not like we've emancipated the slaves or cured cancer; The statement “You have shocked the world. What you have done, each of you, those who did it over and over and over again was the most remarkable story of a human effort across the state since she truly decided she wanted to fly on her own wings” carries a faint whiff of hyperbole... Not that I really take issue with that, it's more a case of mild amusement, but it is a bit over the top, you have to admit.

the most important thing is HOW the victory happened: thousands of ordinary Oregonians worked hard for months to convince their friends and neighbors that this was the right thing to do. despite the huge money spent to spread fear and confusion (according to the No script, we should see the first job losses by morning), citizens spoke the simple truth of what these measures would actually do: protect schools, the elderly, public safety & establish a tiny bit of tax fairness.

outside Multnomah County, the vote was split; that means the message got thru to many people who had always voted No before. this time, Oregonians across the state stood together to keep things from getting worse. and that means that next time we face this challenge -- to roll back the kicker, or fix our busted tax system -- we'll know it's possible. it'll be hard, but we have won this one, so we know we can win the next.

a more fair, progressive Oregon continues to grow around us. huzzah.

It's really ridiculous how many people are STILL claiming that the rich and corporations will leave the state. Even after these tax hikes, Oregon still has some of the lowest taxes on the wealthy and businesses. If they leave, they'll only find higher taxes than what they pay here.

This will be a victory if the state can use this money effectively AND figure out a way to not have to do the same thing two years from now. Starting referendum to get rid of the kicker would be a great start.

Everyone's so proud of themselves - was voting to raise taxes on other people REALLY such a moral victory? If these services are so important, why didn't you vote to raise your own taxes to pay for them? Congratulations, you decided to gang up and take someone else's stuff for your own use...

Taxes are great and all if the money was actually used to improve and benefit the whole state. But the problem is all this money you just raised is going to pay pensions for lazy teachers, cops, and DMV fattys. Now they can retire at 50 and get paid for sitting on couch for the next 35 years. Do you people actually like or respect public employees? If you do, that's really freaking creepy. I remember when I was a kid in Oregon back in the 90s our teachers always used to bring up how underpaid and oppressed they were. Of course they never mentioned the fact that they get 4 months paid vacation a year. They weren't brainwashing us or anything.

"You have shocked the world. ... was the most remarkable story of a human effort across the state ..."

Really? 98% vote to tax the other 2%. How remarkable! The true example of the human kindness, responsibility and fairness! I'd say - a remarkable ignorance for somebody with bachelor’s degree in political science or a remarkable hypocrisy (more likely for a politician).

I don't think that Oregon "shocked the world" any more then the Great October Socialist Revolution in Russia or Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution in China did, but it's getting there. Welcome to the people's republic club Mr. Courtney. Just try not to lose the contact info of those 2% after they move out of the state, you may need them sooner then you think, to ask for a food aid.

"We've got a long way to go before we can espouse Oregon as a truly equitable, progressive utopian model of governance." Do you mean the Animal Farm or 1984?

"Even after these tax hikes, Oregon still has some of the lowest taxes on the wealthy and businesses. If they leave, they'll only find higher taxes than what they pay here."

Still marginally lower then California and Hawaii, including the CA 9.75% sales tax (usually only about 30-50% of one's income is spent on taxable purchases), but way higher then Washington and many other states. No to mention that the higher tax states have something else to offer in exchange to the higher taxes - climate and business/employment opportunities to name a few.

I'm surprised D hasn't weighed in yet with some of his pathetic pro-corporate drivel.

I think we should raise taxes on all ex-Brits living in the United States. Because, you know, it would be the right thing to do. Please explain to me how it wouldn't be.

"I think we should raise taxes on all ex-Brits living in the United States." I second that, for our schools, for our children. ex-Brits should be proud to pay their fair share to our great society...

@tabarnhart, i agree that its an impressive victory considering the strength of the "Against Job Killing Taxes" drivel, but still, fueled by unions, the Yes vote had significantly more money on hand to fight for their cause.


I'm just in agreement with what Sarah Mirk just posted today (Wednesday). Kind of a bummer it takes this much effort just to tax the upper 2-3% and actually profitable businesses. The election-night hyperbole should be saved for the day that the region comes together for something actually praise-worthy, such as stopping the CRC/ending the significant racial disparities in Portland's schools/instituting a VMT tax/insert Cascadian utopian idea here.

Hyperbole is made of unicorns and baby-farts. I wish we could get more of it up in here, up in here.