Should you stay or should you go? Referendum Petition 32-007, which appears on the May 16 special election ballot, will be asking the citizens of Wallowa County to make this decision.

If Wallowa County were to join Idaho, several things would take place immediately.

An increase in your taxes. Why? Idaho has a statewide sales tax of 6%.

If you operate or run a business, you will see an increase in your expenses. Why? You will be required to collect the sales tax revenues at the point of sale, and then forward the monies to Boise. If they don’t like the job you are doing? They will send auditors to make sure you do it right in the future.

You will see an almost 50% decrease in your hourly wage. Why? Oregon’s minimum wage is $13.50 and it is modified yearly. Idaho’s minimum wage is $7.25.

Your family will witness a dramatic decrease in family health care services. Due to the extreme abortion law in Idaho, maternal doctors are leaving the state and hospitals are not finding replacements. As a result, several hospitals have completely closed their birthing centers and others are considering doing the same.

Dave Haun

Neotsu