Editor:

I’d like to address ballot Measure 66 for individuals and disregard companion bill 67, which focuses on corporations.

This year the state legislature, needing to balance the budget and deal with shortfalls, first reduced the state budget then passed revenue bills which have been referred to the voters as Measures 66 and 67.

Measure 66 provides for a tax of 1.8 percent on adjusted gross incomes over $150,000 for single filers and $250,000 for joint filers. It is estimated this will affect only 27 taxpayers in Wallowa County. For most of us Oregonians there is NO tax increase.

The revenue thus raised will be used to pay teachers and heat schoolrooms, to man the fire trucks, to sand and plow our roads, to help our seniors and the children in the Oregon Health Plan. In short, to provide the services we are used to and that we want. Oregonians, this bill is your friend.

There is more: the Legislature provided a mini-stimulus for Oregon’s unemployed: The first $2,400 of unemployment compensation received in 2009 is tax free if measure 66 is passed. If defeated, this income will be taxed as earned income, costing an average of $240.

There is no downside to this bill. When your mail-in ballot arrives Jan. 8, vote yes on 66.

Jan Holt

Joseph