Kicker Sends Oregon Message: We Don't Have the Political Will

Oregon is the only state in the country with a law that automatically "kicks back" revenue to taxpayers when it exceeds the state's forecast for the two-year budget period by 2 percent or more.

(SILVERTON, Ore.) - When Oregonians receive their kicker checks over the next couple of weeks, they will also get a message from the Governor telling them that the money could have been better spent on public infrastructure, but for the lack of political will.

Or at least that is what would have happened if the winner of the Oregon Center for Public Policy's contest for the best kicker message lived in Mahonia Hall.

In early November, the Silverton-based think tank invited Oregonians to answer the question, "If you were the Governor, what message to Oregonians would you place on the envelopes with the kicker checks?"

The contest received more than 60 entries, from which OCPP selected the top three and put them up for vote by the public. OCPP advertised the contest on Oregon political blogs and its own website. Gary Olsen-Hasek of Salem submitted the winning statement, garnering 53 percent of the public's votes.

"We are returning this tax revenue to you because of the 'kicker' law," wrote Olsen-Hasek in his winning message. "We could use this revenue for many other purposes (healthcare and housing for the poor, infrastructure renewal, state park care and enhancement, environmental law enforcement, state troopers, etc.) but we don't have the political will."

Oregon is the only state in the country with a law that automatically "kicks back" revenue to taxpayers when it exceeds the state's forecast for the two-year budget period by 2 percent or more. This year's kicker refund -- the largest ever at about $1.1 billion and 18.6 percent of taxpayers' 2006 liability -- is being sent out between now and December 15th.

"There is a strong sentiment among Oregonians that the kicker is foolish, short-sighted public policy," noted OCPP's executive director, Chuck Sheketoff. He said that OCPP carried out the contest not only in the spirit of fun but also to send a message that many Oregonians believe the kicker law should be scrapped.

The runner-up entry, submitted by Jim Barta of Portland, was "Future budget crisis insurance enclosed."

The second runner-up was "You got your kicker while our state's problems got thicker," written by James McClain, also from Portland.

Though calling it a success, Sheketoff said he wishes never to have to hold the contest again. "I hope that next time we're fortunate enough to have unanticipated revenue, we'll have grown wiser and saved the money for the next rainy day," he said.

The Oregon Center for Public Policy is a non-partisan research institute that does in-depth research and analysis on budget, tax, and economic issues. The Center's goal is to improve decision making and generate more opportunities for all Oregonians. Source: Oregon Center for Public Policy

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Jefferson December 10, 2007 11:53 am (Pacific time)

Bottom line: The people are getting their money back. I am going to purchase a variety of items that will hopefully make some people happier, though probably not those whose knowledge of climatology is as dirth as tobacco farmer Algores's is...as you all know: once a tobacco farmer always a tobacco farmer!

Henry Ruark December 10, 2007 9:48 am (Pacific time)

To all: Simple question: Do you really want to shrink the government "down to where we can drag it into the bathtub and drown it !" ?? With all those other Oregon citizens hurting for lack of supporting services surely due them after years of work and effort, now negated at no fault of their own ? That's what the neocons, not content with years of policy and practical failures, still demand on 19th Century principle, long outmoded and outraged by their own continued corruption in office. The kicker came out of that early-on attitude, provided and paid for by "corporate campaign contributions", still key issue in legislative connections with lobbyists.

Henry Ruark December 10, 2007 8:14 am (Pacific time)

To all: If you encounter Op Ed or other statements from Freedom Works, never forget main man is Dick Armey, former GOP cabal House leader forced out by own party actions. Freedom.org is part of GOP "noise machine" dedicated to further obfuscation and deceit re realities of tax and government action, now both superseded and outmoded by what we have learned under their "leadership" since the Reagan era. It was thence came the Oregon situation allowing the ongoing debacle of the kicker. Best offsetting action is close surveillance and clean cogitation re own interests.

Henry Ruark December 10, 2007 7:42 am (Pacific time)

Jeff et al: Re coverage on kicker, several Op Eds already...note you did not check to see, so comment continues senseless obstruction on open channel intended for sharing solid information. Re "blonde" -- proves my point remarkably, relentlessly, with veiled allusion to sexuality, same response found elsewhere in your continued nonentity here. So far can not only support Neal's open, fair statements but also still offer solid documentation for anyone with guts enough to shed hiding behind non-ID name or "Anon". Note 12-time offer to Jeff for direct contact still avoided at all costs...so here's another: "You lie in your teeth, you cur, sir !" - That's title of response to another such situation.

Neal Feldman December 10, 2007 2:33 am (Pacific time)

Jefferson - I'm neither blonde nor clueless. If you were less clueless you would see on my staff area a link to my website where there is a picture of me so you would know the answer to that already. I would make a blonde joke about you but it would be a grave insult to the intellect of blondes everywhere. Let me know when you can credibly and legitimately comment on what I have said for you have, to date, never seemed to be able to manage that on any topic. Not surprising... your brand of net.kook troll is pretty bargain basement/low end. But keep it up... Let's see if you can amaze everyone and actually manage to reduce your credibility any further. What is less than zero anyway? LOL. Ah well...

Jefferson December 9, 2007 6:10 pm (Pacific time)

Neal you really are so clueless. Are you blonde?

Neal Feldman December 9, 2007 5:41 pm (Pacific time)

Jefferson - As usual you make no sense. How is it 'excess taxes' when the govt does not have enough funds to do what it needs to do? How is it not insanity to send back billions of dollars with an infrastructure collapsing from neglect over decades of recession and a continuation of the ridiculous feast or famine budget cycles? And you know what? As for those who pay lots in taxes I will tel you I have a standing offer... I have had it for decades with no takers. I would trade what I have and my income and zero tax bill straight across with anyone who has to pay $100,000 a yr or more in taxes. Interesting how not a single one of the 'so overtaxed' steps up to take my generous offer, isn't it? Or could it be for all the whining the ones paying oh so much in taxes still have so much more left after than anyone else does? Ah well...

Neal Feldman December 9, 2007 5:34 pm (Pacific time)

Eazymoney - yes it is with your consent... you choose to live in the society, the laws including the tax laws are part of the package. No one is forcing you to remain.. if you do not like it here so much the door is that way don't let it hit your bum on the way out. But for you to remain and benefit from the society and then refuse to pay your bill... there is a word for that type of person, isn't there? Ah yes... DEADBEAT. Ah well...

Neal Feldman December 9, 2007 5:30 pm (Pacific time)

DD877 - your hamster clearly overheated. lol. Your ravings are irrelevant. That some tax money was ill-spent does not mean all is... and you still ignore the rusting and rotting infrastructure neglected for decades.. how much longer until it falls in on itself and civilization comes to a grinding halt as the remaining infrastructure left intact will not support it? As for 'throwing money' at education I presume, then, that you think denying all education funding will somehow improve education, huh? Improvements rarely come without expense. Now in some ways improvements can and should be done... denying free education to illegals and their non-citizen issue would be a start as it would slow the drain on education dollars and ease overcrowding. But nothing you have presented shows the kicker law as anything but idiotic public policy. Ah well...

Jefferson December 9, 2007 11:07 am (Pacific time)

It appears that those who don't like seeing excess taxes returned to their rightful owners, have no concept of why the kicker law was set up to begin with and/or they probably pay little , if any taxes to begin with. Alas, the majority of Oregonians want their money back, and as usual the minority remains clueless...Maybe you should do an article on that Henry?

EazyMoney December 9, 2007 8:36 am (Pacific time)

Taxes are not taken from me against my will? Funny I don't remember anyone ever asking me, nor do I remember state (or federal)income taxes coming up for a vote while I've been a voter. I never even see a portion of my own paycheck. Its taken out of my check. So basically if something were taken from you without your consent, but with laws saying you must of face the consequences, then that might be considered against ones will. So what public services have I used? I've never called the cops, or the fire department. I already pay license and registration fees and insurance and fuel taxes so that I can drive. What are all these wonderful public services I'm using? I would like to leave this country if for no other reason than to get away from ignoramuses like you and our warchief Bush. This next election will probably be a deciding factor in my decision to stay in this country or take up residence elsewhere. O.K. Neal pay attention.. the above was whining and crying about taxes. My first post was what my message would have been on the back of the envlope. Not whining or crying. Where did they find you? Shangra-la? Or Fairview? Or were you a state worker?

DD877 December 9, 2007 6:56 am (Pacific time)

A-Non Before my hamster Over heats I am a native born American With all the rights of Citizenship. If We would quit spending our transportation money on Trams and trains to nowhere. If we could make our kids smarter by throwing money at it. If we could curtail the Homosexual Agenda with my tax money then Maybe I would consider feeding the greedy pigs more.As to Tripling the Estimate. They Would probably see an initiative by the time the sun went down and they have no Balls when it comes to facing the wrath of us the great unwashed.

Kicker December 8, 2007 6:17 pm (Pacific time)

Sent my check to Ron Paul. God save America.

Anonymous December 8, 2007 5:32 pm (Pacific time)

DD877 - if the kicker is such a great idea why hasn't it been emulated since in three decades anywhere else? I'll tell you before your hamster overheats... it is because they all see a stupid idea for what it is and most generally do not choose to emulate stupidity. I don't know why the state just does not get around it by always tripling revenue estimates so the revenue taken in never meets, much less exceeds,, the estimate Ah well...

Henry Ruark December 8, 2007 4:11 pm (Pacific time)

Jefferson; Like every other point of all your analyses, this one way off, too. By the way, did you buy that gas-gulp carb for your big SUV or donate check to charity ? Don't bother; would not trust single word from you, anyhow, without receipt.

Henry Ruark December 8, 2007 7:19 am (Pacific time)

Unknown: That doth nothing to remedy real problems. Oregonians, like all others, must soon recognize realities of 21st Century or suffer overwhelming consequences. We need corporate tax reform guaranteeing those who profit from Oregon-based organization and facilities pay fair share of all that provides for worldwide entrepreneurial activities. Given that needed foundation refashion of opportunities, we will experience solid State budget growth with monies now missing via national-joke

JB December 8, 2007 10:48 am (Pacific time)

That would be like your auto mechanic quoting a repair for 500 and it only costing 300. Are you goning to let him keep the extra to spruce up his shop? It's our money and the state should give it back.

Jefferson December 8, 2007 10:18 am (Pacific time)

Henry sorry that financial aspects of your life have been so bleak for you. Maybe next time around it will be better? P.S. For those of you who do not want to keep "your money" and want to do something with it instead of giving it back to the state (who sure knows how "not" to be efficient with "your" money), then may I suggest donating it to the Shriner's Hospital, or some other worthwhile organization.

DD877 December 8, 2007 8:30 am (Pacific time)

Oregon is the Only state that was Forced by the Voters also known as We The People To give our money back. after it's portion was attained. Good on us to be leading in a positive manner for a change...

mira December 8, 2007 5:07 am (Pacific time)

Maybe these politicians should remember: They work for the people not for the Government

Neal Feldman December 8, 2007 5:00 am (Pacific time)

The kicker law is ludicrous public policy directly harmful to the health of the state. Infrastructure rots away while the political Neros fiddle away. It is akin to banninf people from having savings accounts and mandating by law they spend every penny as fast as they get it. That would be idiotic for personal finances, it is magnitudes more foolish as govt policy. And taxes are not taken against you will any more than the clerk at the store takes your money against your will when you make a purchase, or your landlord takes your rent against your will for allowing you to rent their property, or the restaurant collects your money from you against you will after you have dined, etc etc etc. You choose to live here. The taxes are the price of admission. And I guarantee that you use far more money in public services than you have ever paid individually in taxes. That is a fact for over 98% of the population. So quit whining and crying about taxes. We are one of the least taxes states in one of the least taxed nations on the planet. If you hate it so much no one is holding you here against your will. Leave if it is so hideous. But do stop the self0serving, shortsighted and petulant whining, ok?

unknown December 7, 2007 6:34 pm (Pacific time)

My message would say: Here is your money. It would help to support all these illegals with assistance and schooling and free medical. But because the majority of Oregonians are against illegal aliens, here is your money back and I hope you spend it wisely. Maybe you will donate it to LaRazza who then can hire teachers to teach English to the illegals.

Henry Ruark December 7, 2007 3:13 pm (Pacific time)

So now you can buy new carb for that oversize SUV...or lie that you will give it to charity, when challenged on what size your check was, at top of list or piddling small at bottom...with inequality showing clearly in any case.

EazyMoney December 7, 2007 12:00 pm (Pacific time)

My message would have been: Heres the money back that we took from you against your will. We figure your better off with it,since you earned it, rather than using it to feed our already bloated state government.

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