Recent news stories highlight a major challenge that legislative leaders faced when they adopted their balanced budget plan: the refusal by some business lobbying groups and some otherwise reasonable people to acknowledge that the public sector is an important part of the economy.

The central argument by opponents of Measures 66 and 67, that the measures will cause Oregon to lose jobs, is “without merit,” according to experts at the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center.

The Sunday Oregonian featured a story comparing two businesses and their different views of Measures 66 and 67.

Indicating that the state’s fiscal situation is beginning to stabilize, today’s revenue forecast by Oregon state economists confirms that the legislature did the right thing earlier this year in enacting targeted revenue-raising measures as part of a balanced fiscal plan.

Oregon is among a minority of states that tax the income of families living below the poverty line, according to a report released today by the Washington, D.C.-based Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

Which businesses are going to be paying more taxes under Measure 67, and which won’t? Which Oregonians will pay more and which Oregonians will get a tax cut on their personal income taxes under Measure 66?

The flowchart in this PDF shows which businesses would pay tax under Measure 67.

The flowchart in this PDF shows which Oregonians would pay more under Measure 66.