Gordon Clay here. The anti-tax people are whipping up the press to protect the wealthy (those 2% who clear more than $125,000 a year) with misleading editorial headlines like "We're #1 in Taxes." What's true is that 98% of Oregonians will see no tax increase and 88% of Oregon business will pay only $150.

Oregon is one of only four state without a sales tax thereby having to depend almost solely on income tax. Because of this reliance, Oregon had the 9th largest budget short-fall in the nation.

Our gasoline tax is 25 cents per gallon while California is 39.9 cents and Washington stands at 375 cents.

The Tax Foundation claimed the proposed tax on beer would be an 1,800% increase, which sounds like a lot but it's not that much when you start at less than 9 cents a gallon compared to California at 20 cents and Washington at 26 cents.

They say "Cut services." What's next?

We've already reduced state police by 31%, 12% more than any other state. You think the drug cartels aren't noticing?

We cut back on educational programs that would give our students a better chance at getting into college and making more than a minimum wage in their life-time.

We cut back or eliminate mental health, drug and alcohol treatment programs. Boy will that cost us.

Let's change the image of Oregon into one of people who are providing for a healthy future by investing in our state now. Or we could cut even more services, thereby increasing unemployment and really pay later.