We need to start getting serious about revenue stability. Vigorous support for a real Rainy Day Fund via kicker reform should be a litmus test for any candidate who wants to be Oregon’s next governor.

Due to a still-weak economy and there being little chance of significant financial help from the federal government, Oregon is predicted to face another huge deficit. Because we started this recession without a well-funded Rainy Day Fund, we have almost no savings left to cushion us. Oregon needs to build an emergency reserve account.


Sign our petition asking each and every gubernatorial candidate to endorse and campaign for a strong Rainy Day Fund to help us weather future economic storms.

https://www.taxfairnessoregon.org/RainyDayGov

Our next governor must finally end Oregon’s roller-coaster budgeting process.In most states, when revenues exceed expenses, the surplus can be saved for a rainy day. However, due to the flawed “kicker” provisions in the state constitution, we can’t act prudently and put unanticipated revenue into an “emergency reserve fund.”1

Unfortunately, the Legislature failed to fix the kicker during the last legislative session. As Governor Kulongoski noted, “even this perfect storm of political opportunity, falling revenue, and ominous forecasts was not enough to get the Legislature to act.”2

Tell the gubernatorial candidates that to win your vote they will have to start actively campaigning for a Rainy Day Fund via kicker reform.

https://www.taxfairnessoregon.org/RainyDayGov

Our state needs strong leadership from our next governor to steer our boat through these rough waters. Oregonians deserve nothing less.

Source:

1. “State of the State Speech,” Governor Ted Kulongoski, April 2, 2010
http://governor.oregon.gov/Gov/speech/2010_0402_state_of_the_state.shtml

2. Ibid.