During this holiday season, each of you has the power to help educate our communities about Ballot Measures 66 & 67 and the public services that support the education, employment, health and safety of Asians and Pacific Islanders in Oregon.  For many of our families, 2009 has been a difficult year.

We’ve heard stories of job loss, the struggle for health insurance, educational challenges, and social isolation.  When we come together as community, across community, we can make decisions that can improve our livelihoods.  Asians and Pacific Islanders are intensely diverse, different languages, cultures, religions, even rice.  We are united most often by our common experience of immigration, of tradition, of intergenerational family.

Oregon’s State Budget for services that affect many of us every day – schools, health clinics, fire and police, employment training – are in jeopardy.  APANO asks your help in advocating for these services, by educating and encouraging a Yes Vote on Measure 66 & 67 January 26th, 2010.  Yes on Measure 66 & 67 is a vote for a better future for Oregon with services critical to our families, children and seniors.

• Register to vote by January 5th [if you have moved or never registered, register at your local DMV, Library or University, or print and return this form]
• Ballots mailed mid-January, ballots must be received by January 26th [Election drop-off sites or mail at least 3 days in advance]

Snapshot of Ballot Measures:

Measure 66 is about Tax Fairness [How would Measure 66 affect you?]

• Raises $472 million dollars by increasing from 9% to 10.8% the tax rate on any earnings over $250,000/year for couples, $125,000/year for individuals
• Impacts the income wealth of the top 3%, approximately 38,000 out of 1.5 million income tax returns
• For an individual earning $130,000/year, annual tax increase would be $90
• A couple earning $300,00/year, or $25,000/month, would see an increase of $900, or $75/month

Measure 67 is about Corporate Responsiblity

• Raises $252 million dollars by increasing the $10 corporate minimum income tax for the first time since 1931. The new minimum will start at $150; and
• Increases the marginal tax rate on corporate profits above $250,000 by 1.3% (and moving to above $10 million in 2013)
• Oregon will have the 5th lowest corporate taxes – and lower than any other West Coast state.  Economists say Oregon would remain tax-friendly to business.  Critics say the measure would give Oregon the highest minimum corporate tax in the United States outside California and New York. But unlike most states, Oregon businesses are assessed no sales taxes, and they pay lower-than-average property taxes. So their overall burden, even with Measure 67, would remain among the lowest in the nation.

APANO Holiday Conversations for Tax Fairness

Discussion questions:

1) What do you know about Measure 66 & 67?

• Ask if they are registered to vote (deadline January 5th)
• Election day is January 26th
• Listen to what they know about the Measures, and gently inform as appropriate
• Post any follow-up questions to our Facebook Page or contact APANO

2) How do you feel like this election will impact you and your family or community?

• Check out this new interactive map put together by the Vote Yes campaign to learn about how the impact by county
  • How many kids are in our K-12 schools? How much school funding for my child’s education will Measures 66 and 67 protect?
  • How many people are receiving long term care in my community? How many people depend on the Oregon Health Plan?
  • How many people are receiving long term care in my community? How many people depend on the Oregon Health Plan?
  • How will community colleges and universities in my community be affected?
  • How many people looking for work in 2009 will get a tax break under Measure 66?
• Did you know that the measures contain a tax break for people receiving unemployment?  Over 270,000 Oregonians will receive the first $2400 of their unemployment benefits tax-free if 66 & 67 are passed.

3) Are you interested in helping educate the broader Asian and Pacific Islander communities of Oregon?

• Did you know that Asians and Pacific Islanders have one of the lowest voter participation rates?  When elected officials and policy makers know that we participate as voters, they respect the issues that impact our communities.
• Did you know that newer immigrant and refugees becoming citizens have one of the lowest voter registration rates?  When we are registered to vote and take action to vote, the voice of our community is represented.  Participating in the civic process is new for many of our communities, who have often fled corrupt and oppressive political systems.  In America we have civil rights in voting, and our involvement helps improve the equality, dignity and respect for our community.
• APANO is working across our diverse Asian and Pacific Islanders to educate voters, and to help Get Out The Vote.  We need bilingual, bicultural, Asian and Pacific Islanders to raise awareness, and help mobilize our community to vote on January 26th.  Would you consider volunteering for a phone bank, share literature?

Please direct any questions, volunteers, or other comments to:

APANO Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon
503-512-0274
info@apano.org
www.apano.org

APANO is a membership based organization, we welcome all people to join.  You can do so online, or request a membership brochure.

Filed under: Civic Engagement