Recently The Oregonian published a powerful Op-ed on the estate tax portion of Measure 84, written by Portland attorney Jim McDermott. Jim asked the key question we should all be asking our leaders about the future of our state and country:

At a time when income inequality and wealth concentration are historically high and growing, why are we offering more tax breaks to those of us who don’t need them?

His answer is striking:

In the past 30 years, virtually all of our country’s prosperity has been diverted to the top earners and the wealthy. Aren’t we precisely the people who should pay more in taxes, not less? Otherwise, our country will keep slouching toward a feudal society that perpetuates dynastic wealth.

Knowing that opposition letters would pour in, we also wrote letters to the editor, and at least one was published (Sept. 12). It was brief (under 150 words), factual, and reasonable in tone, unlike the angry rants from the other side:

Editor:

Thanks to Jim McDermott for reminding us that it’s fair for millionaires to pay their Oregon estate tax, and that voters should oppose Kevin Mannix’s Measure 84 that’s trying to repeal it (Sept. 10). Mannix claims that our estate tax is unfair “double” taxation.” But as tax accountants and lawyers like McDermott know, the majority of assets in millionaire estates are investments, like real estate or stocks, which can appreciate over time. This wealth, known as “unrealized capital gain,” is taxed when inherited, fairly, by our estate tax. The 98% should vote “No” on Measure 84.

You too can speak out in letters to the editor, urging a No vote on Mannix’s Measure 84, not just in the Oregonian, but in local papers too.

ACT NOW! BE SURE to SAY YOU WANT FOLKS TO VOTE ‘NO’ ON 84.

Ok, just do it, write your letter today and email it off to two papers, the Oregonian and a local paper.

(Note, we’re sending you to the Oregon Center for Public Policy website to write your letter and use their long email list of Oregon newspapers.)

Looking for Talking Points?

  • The measure would close the door to every struggling generation’s dream of a better life while granting capital gains and estate tax breaks for the millionaire top 2% and their children.
  • Only families with more than $2 million pay the estate tax, and the first $2 million is tax-free. ($1 m for singles.)
  • Don’t believe all the tears over the demise of the family farm. Under Oregon law, farm and forest assets are virtually all tax-free for families that want to continue the business.
  • What’s our priority? Two new tax breaks for the rich or education for 560,000 Oregon school kids? The estate tax alone brings in $100 million a year, enough to support 1200 teaching positions.
  • Measure 84 is nothing less than an all-out assault on all but the wealthiest families. If you win the Oregon lottery, you pay taxes, but if you win the birth lottery…well, what Measure 84 asks is for birth lottery winners to never pay a tax.
  • The estate and capital gains tax strengthen Oregon’s pioneering spirit of equal opportunity for those who work hard.
  • This isn’t about double taxation, this is about a double tax loophole, or never taxation.

If you want more background, read our Two Sides of Measure 84. It covers both the estate tax and capital gains tax breaks, or listen to Jody and Carl talking about the measure on KPOJ.

  • Our strongest talking point is: Measure 84 is two new tax cuts for the top 2%
  • Our second strongest talking point is: Getting our priorities right

And definitely, keep talking about why you’re voting no on Measure 84 with friends and neighbors. Thank you!