“Oregon’s unique kicker law will give taxpayers a record $1.1 billion refund later this year, returning nearly one-fifth of their income taxes for 2006, state officials announced Friday.”“The average check will be $612, and the state will send them out by mid-December.”

“Or, to put it another way: Happy holidays!”“The Legislature created it in 1979, then voters endorsed it overwhelmingly the following year before adding it to the Oregon Constitution in 2000. The refunds were issued as tax credits until 1995, when the Legislature started having the refunds sent to taxpayers as checks.”

The Oregonian, September 1, 2007

“The checks could trigger $100 million in donations to charities, experts say, and that’s why the Richmond Foundation and other nonprofit groups are asking supporters to consider donating at least part of their kicker.”

The Oregonian, November 19, 2007