I love the first line: "I can't believe it's come to this..."
Yeah, no kidding.

A couple of alert readers, who read BlueOregon more faithfully than we, point out that Paula's is a real bake shop -- in Auburn, California! And its owner is a sole proprietor, who if in Oregon would not be subject to Measure 67 and probably not to Measure 66, either. Too funny.

You can see the place (under prior management as Hilda's Pastries) here, and if you turn the Google Cam around, you'll see the same scene as out the window.

But check out whose sign was on the empty office space across the street when the Google truck went by:

Some brilliant web detective work!

For your B-Day Jack!
http://www.zazzle.com/what_a_crock_tshirt-235473590624388562

Yeh, but Measure 67 would be a problem for my company. If it passes we will be forced to pay a .01% tax on Gross Revenue if our income exceeds $500,000. This is not big evil corporations but your run of the mill small business. The Gross Revenue calculation applies only to C Corporations, not S Corp, LLC, Partnerships etc. My business tax will increase by 200%. If we were an S Corp we would only have to pay the minimum $150.00. A tax on Gross Revenue does not make sense. Tax our profits if you will but not our total sales revenue. How can you tax someone if they make no profits? Let's kick them when they are down! Take that evil corporations. Oh, by the way, you are laid off...

I think perspective adds to the debate. Over the holidays, I was in my hometown of Rockford, Illinois. When I left in the mid 70s, manufacturing was the main breadwinner for this midwest town. Now most of those factories have left or are severely downsized. Retail, hospitals and government jobs seems to be the new economy. Property values never increased in the manner that many other areas of our nation experienced, but foreclosures are rampant.

The debate on taxes in Oregon is valid, but for perspective here's some info that may make many feel greatful for what we have in Oregon, and its because of the activism that so permeates the mindsets of many in our state. Although Rockford has some people who would fit into that category, I found most to be apathetic and accepting of increasing tax burdens they are saddled with.

For example,

A $300,000 home in Rockford would pay somewhere around $9000 per year.
http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/1332-University-Dr_Rockford_IL_61107_1114498948

That same value of house in Portland OR would be a 2 bedroom house, 750 Sq Ft and the property taxes would be around $2400.

In Rockford, they have a 8.25 sales tax plus they voted in an additional 1% to fix the streets. Many of their city streets are in horrible shape.

Illinois has a tollway system. The toll is $1.90 per toll booth.. If I recall correctly, there were 3 of 4 toll booths between Rockford IL and Chicago, which is about 90 miles south of Rockford.

They also have a state payroll tax but I don't know how much it is. What I don't understand is, where is all that money going? And why aren't the citizens of my hometown more demanding of an answer? I don't think we would be that accomodating here in Oregon and in particular, Portland.

So for purposes of comparison, Oregon could be Illinois and in particular my hometown, if it wasn't for the activism that Oregonians are known for.

I offer no opinion of ballot measures 66 and 67...but I like the ballot measure process as it allows for the people to respond with a "hell no" when appropriate.. I know many of the people in my hometown are disgusted with their tax burden, but I don't understand why they are so accepting of it... Where's their outrage.. Why are they so submissive to the powers that be?

The tolls are coming to Portland. And if it weren't for the people who are opposing 66 and 67, property taxes here would be every bit as bad as they are back there.

Robert Pace, your comparison is not complete and doesn't appear accurate.

You web connection gives no property tax info, but Rockford in Winnebago Co., ILL tax assessor gives a rate of +$22/1K. Portland's Multnomah Co. tax rate is almost $22/1K. Very similar.

Additionally you are not comparing apples to apples. The home you feature in Rockford is on a large lot, very nice neighborhood on the better side of Rockford, best schools, 3 bedroom, great room, full basement, 3 car garage, brick facade and almost new. A similar home in Portland would be in the $400K to $500K range. Illinois also has a reduced rate from the Real Market Value down to the Assessed Value like Oregon. So the tax rate isn't multiplied with the RMV.

Also a 750 sq/ft home in Portland with two bedrooms can easily be found for less than $300,000. And to find that size of home and same features you would probably be locating a home in a more older neighborhood in Portland and it's subsequent property taxes would be less than $2400.

Then you might want to compare natural gas, elect., garbage, water, sewer rates. They're less in Rockford. And the average drive time to work in Rockford is 10 minutes. Average home cost is $125K. And there are many lakes, rivers in town and nearby, plus not far from Chicago, the City of the Future according to Obama.

Apples to apples makes it becomes more palatable.

lw, I used my last home as the referenced property in Portland... by the way, it sold the first day it was on the market last summer and for more than it was listed for, but not much... How often does that happen in Rockford? And what about the west side and urban decay that seems so prevalent and spreading?

And what about the Rockford school problems with gang violence? I heard in nearby Chicago, over 100 public school students have been shot (probably closer to 200) this past year? ...How's those sales tax dollars helping to overcome those problems with Rockford's school district?

Did I mention we don't have a sales tax in Oregon? how's that 8.25 + 1% (total 9.25%)sales tax working out for you and all those road repairs it was supposed to enable?

So besides challenging my evaluation of Rockford, what are you doing to make Rockford a better place (Im assuming you live there, why else would you respond to my original comment)?

That house I referenced in Rockford is in the NE quadrant.. that's where all the good schools are isn't it and where many people who are exiting the other neighborhoods are moving to, isn't it?.. What are the people in the SE, SW and NW sections of the city doing to keep their neighborhoods livable and safe?

You see lw, I remember Rockford when it was a safe place to live. Doesn't Winnebago county (where Rockford is located) have the highest crime rate in Illinois? I look at Rockford and think of what it could have been (and maybe still could), but as it stands now and from my observation, if Rockford were a biological life form, I'd say it has cancer...hint-some cancers are cureable if caught early.

You see lw, instead of thinking about where's all that tax money going and demanding accountability for its placement, you chose to disparage me for my criticisms of a town you seem fond of... Why don't you take your defense of Rockfords appeal and your displeasure towards me and my comparisons and direct it towards the people in power who are taking advantage of its residents through high taxes and unaccountable government...

PS - I want Rockford to survive these times, because I have family there I miss but comparing Portland to Rockford just isn't apples to apples, at least when it comes to livability (although I won't say Portland is perfect, we do have a very active neighborhood association system that allows for each neighborhood to participate in our system of city government and to ensure livability and safety are priorities)... I hope my comments impact you in a way that makes you and others in Rockford say, Im mad as hell and I want ROckford to be a place people want to come to and I'm going to do my best to make it happen...or you can project your sense of helplessness onto me and write another post attacking my credibility because its easier to do that than to make your elected officials accountable to the citizens.

The Daily Kos has some even more damning info about the sponsors of this ad:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/1/14/825107/-Oregon-consultants-inner-monologue:-I-am-an-idiot

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2010/1/11/823947/-Is-Oregons-solution-subject-to-Californication

The people behind the no-on-66/67 campaign are truly vile, and that includes the "Orangeonian's" new editor (who apparently was responsible for the paper's sharp and sudden right turn on these measures). Their abhorrent campaign tactics alone are sufficient reason to vote yes.

Robert, sorry for supplying a little more information on Portland and Rockford comparisons. I didn't mean to raise your ire.

I do not live in Rockford. I am affiliated with a business in western Ohio. I naturally make tax and other comparisons between Ohio and Oregon. In so doing I find that comparisons are difficult, somewhat subjective, and can mislead. If I interpreted you general message of your first post correctly (Where is all the money going-Rockford is taxed enough-why are people apathetic to these increasing taxes-why does Oregon want to tax more), then generally agree with you.

In regards to your comment "Oregon could be Illinois....if it wasn't for the activism that Oregonians are known for.", that is a good warning. But I think if we could somehow measure this activism, I wonder if there is really a difference. I go to a lot of meetings, activism, here in Oregon, but I find it very unproductive.

Maybe Rockford doesn't mislead its citizens with "citizen input wanted". In Portland they forget the input. Citizen activism is great,it can't be selective (Sam's trick); but you have to listen to it, then act upon it.

Their abhorrent campaign tactics alone are sufficient reason to vote yes.

Anyone who cites the DK as a source for facts is automatically disqualified from calling anyone or anything abhorrent.

I hope you didn't pi** yourself typing your comment.

All my love,

cc

The people behind the no-on-66/67 campaign are truly vile

Yeah, and the union thugs on the yes side are angels. Please. They're both bad. Their tactics pretty much cancel each other out.

Yeah, and the union thugs on the yes side are angels.

I hear the same thing about professors in the academic world. A bunch of elitist, self-important, egotists.

lw, you claim the house I chose to show for an example of Rockford property taxes was not equal to the one I chose in Portland... OK, here's a house that is on the market in Portland OR for $435,000.. according to zillow.com, the property tax on this PDX house was $3814 for 2008... still a long ways from the approximate $9000 tax bill it would have in Rockford...
http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1226-SE-Salmon-St-Portland-OR-97214/53876731_zpid/
And lets not forget that if you buy a $30K car in Rockford IL, you also pay a sales tax on top of that of $2775 (=9.25% sales tax)... plus $99 a year from what I told by residents for licenses.. same sales tax formula goes for purchases like new carpeting, new stove, new roof, new furnishings, clothing and all big ticket items with big tax bills on top of the original price.. just how appealing is that to people who may want to locate to that part of the country?

The topic of this entry on Jack Bogs blog was about taxes to corporations and how they may scare businesses away... I think that also applies to households looking to move too...

I know there's all sorts of hidden taxes that we pay here in Oregon, but looking at those figures I noted above for purchases that people make often is quite alarming, especially when youve never had to think about paying a sales tax on top of what you decided to purchase as is the way here in Oregon..

The whole point of my original comment was people in Oregon could be paying alot more in taxes if our tax system was more like other states such as Illinois.. Im not against taxes, just the abuse of how they are spent.. PERS being one of those abuses... city, state, federal government employees are there own huge voting block that politicians pander to and then hand us civilians the bill in the form of higher taxes to pay for their promises...

I'll take the "union thugs" on the yes side anyday over the corporate/religious fascists who brought Prop 8 to Calfornia and killed marriage equality in Maine, thank you very much.

Those angry actresses are hell of cute. I usually do whatever a sultry seething minx tells me to do. Here, maybe not because the threat isn't sufficiently palpable, but one thing's for sure: Those actresses could make some serious money in this town.

I usually do whatever a sultry seething minx tells me to do.

Thank you for articulating that. I too would be inclined to do what the gal behind the counter said.

see
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8EZBIyzufw

Oh, how clever. If you think Measure 67 is about banks, you deserve to pay the taxes that will be passed onto you by the place you buy groceries from.