Taxpayer Hall of Shame

Jeff Merkley
Speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives, Portland

SHAMEFUL FACTS: Jeff Merkley opposed House Joint Resolution 17 in 1999, which allowed Oregonians to decide whether to place the kicker in the state constitution. Arguing against putting the kicker in the constitution, Merkley showed his true colors on government and taxes, suggesting that taxpayer dollars in the hands of the government haven’t really been taken from the taxpayer at all, since the funds belong to all of the people. In November 2000, 61 percent of Oregonians disagreed with The Grinch.

Ted Kulongoski
Governor

SHAMEFUL FACTS: We all know that Kulongoski suffers from Foot-in-Mouth Disease when it comes to taxpayers. After all, he has proposed billions of dollars in tax increases as Governor. Those include a new tax on you car insurance, a new sales tax, and higher income taxes, higher taxes on seniors, and higher property taxes. Kulongoski has advocated or signed countless efforts to keep your kicker. As recent as a year ago Kulongoski has been calling for a six year suspense ion kicker refunds.

Peter Courtney (Energizer Bunny)
President of the Oregon Senate, Salem

SHAMEFUL FACTS: Courtney has proven himself to be the Energizer Bunny of Kicker Thievery. Courtney’s efforts to get to your kicker just keep going, and going, and going. In fact, he appears to be the all-time kicker stealer having advocated keeping over $1,117,500,000 in kicker refunds owed to taxpayers.

Laurie Monnes Anderson (Kicker Flipper)
State Senator, Gresham

SHAMEFUL FACTS: Monnes-Anderson is the All-Time Kicker-Flipper. In 1998, Monnes-Anderson said she opposed the kicker and favored withholding our kicker refunds. By 2000, Monnes-Anderson found herself in a tough re-election campaign and called her earlier statements a mistake. But when the Legislature decided to pass the largest tax increase in state history (over a billion dollars in new taxes) they also boosted revenue projections to keep many taxpayers from getting kicker rebates. Any guess how Monnes-Anderson voted? Yep, the Kicker-Flipper went back on her word. Thanks a lot Laurie, and welcome to the Kicker Hall of Shame!

Chuck Riley (Big Buck Chuck)
State Representative, Hillsboro

SHAMEFUL FACTS: According to Willamette Week, Big Buck Chuck “has never made a vote his caucus or the unions didn’t decide for him.” That’s why he voted for over $41 million in new fees and fee increases on Oregon’s small businesses, including a scheme to make it more expensive for businesses to defend themselves in labor disputes (HB 2070-2007). Big Buck Chuck would love to get a hold of the kicker to support his big-spending ways.

Betty Komp (Break-the-Bank Betty)
State Representative, Woodburn

SHAMEFUL FACTS: Betty Komp supported hundreds of millions in new tax and fee increases on Oregonians. Komp supported creating a brand-new $9 million payroll tax on Oregon workers to pay for a government insurance program (HB 2575- 2007). Workers should watch their kickers, because “Break-the-Bank” Betty will stop at nothing to raid their pocketbooks.

Ben Westlund (Kicker Manipulator)
State Senator, Bend

SHAMEFUL FACTS: Westlund’s dollar figure might not be the highest but he has committed some of the most shameful acts imaginable against your kicker refunds. As the Chairman of the House’s budget writing committee in 2001 Westlund cooked the books to steal $106,000,000 of in kicker refunds. Then in 2007 he went a step further by voting to withhold another $275,000,000 in kicker refunds. It does not take an accountant to realize that this “Kicker Manipulator” does not respect our kicker refunds.

Joanne Verger (Serial Taxer)
State Senator, Coos Bay

SHAMEFUL FACTS: Verger was the deciding vote on the largest tax increase in state history — which through inflating the state’s revenue forecast, prevented many from getting the kicker refunds they were owed. Verger has voted to suspend or reduce your kicker refunds at least 3 times since being elected to the Legislature. Additionally, she has voted for over a billion dollars in tax and fee increases!

David Edwards (Porky Dave)
State Representative, Hillsboro

SHAMEFUL FACTS: David Edwards loves taxpayer-funded pork. During the 2007 session, Porky Dave feasted at the public trough by spending $7 million on a parking garage in his district. He also supported tens of millions of new spending on Portland light rail and streetcars. How much pork could Porky Dave spend with Oregonians’ kicker money?

Ginny Burdick (Really Dumb)
State Senator, Portland

SHAMEFUL FACTS: We have lost track of how many times Burdick has called your kicker refund “really dumb” since she was elected in 1996. We are not sure if she doesn’t trust you with your refund check or if she just thinks it is “really dumb” for the Legislature not to spend every penny they can get their hands on. Her words definitely earn her a spot in the Hall of Shame.

Dave Hunt (The Tax Hunter)
House Majority Leader, Gladstone

SHAMEFUL FACTS: The House Majority Leader is always on the Hunt for tax increases. In 2007, The Tax Hunter shot down the will of Oregon voters by authoring a measure to eliminate the Double Majority rule, making it easier to raise property taxes. He also supported the largest tax increase in Oregon’s history in 2003.

Arnie (Robbin’) Roblan
State Representative, Coos Bay

SHAMEFUL FACTS: Arnie Roblan co-sponsored legislation to end all tax breaks not required under federal law, eliminating important tax credits for child care, economic development, conservation and more (HB 3229- 2005). Robbin’ Roblan tried to kill the earned income tax credit– is the personal kicker next?

Terry Beyer (Tax ‘em Terry)
State Representative, Springfield

SHAMEFUL FACTS: As Chair of the House Transportation Committee, Terry Beyer championed a $14.8 million plan to raise gas taxes and vehicle fees on Oregonians. Fortunately, the plan failed. Where will Tax ‘em Terry go next for Oregonians’ hard earned dollars?