Commentary What will you pay?

How much would Measure 28 on the January 28 ballot cost the taxpayer? The precise answer, of course, depends on each taxpayer's taxable income.

In their joint statement in support of the measure in the Voters' Pamphlet Gov. John Kitzhaber and former Gov. Vic Atiyeh say: "On average, Measure 28 will cost Oregonians $9.50 per month. Sixty percent of taxpayers will pay less than that."

In the same publication, the three-member Joint Legislative Committee presenting an argument on behalf of the legislative majority that placed the measure on the ballot, explains:

"Measure 28 is temporary. This increase will last three years and in 2005, income tax rates will return to 2001 levels. The last time income taxes were increased was in 1982....Measure 28 would cost the average Oregonian only $9.50 a month, just $114 per year."

The committee's statement on page 6 of the pamphlet includes a table that shows the average annual tax increase by gross annual income level, after accounting for the federal tax deduction. The increases range from $16.61 for incomes of $10,000 to $20,000 to $385.08 for incomes ranging from $100,000 to $200,000.

A slightly different average figure appeared in an informative Question-Answer summary published by The Oregonian last month. The piece explains that the measure would raise the top personal income tax rate from the current 9 percent to 9.5 percent for three years beginning with 2002.

The corporate income tax rate would increase from 6.6 percent to 6.93 percent.

It goes on to say: "How much will that cost taxpayers? About 390,000 low-income taxpayers would see no increase. For a typical household with gross income between $40,000 and $50,000, the average annual tax bill would go up $107. For taxpayers with incomes between $100,000 and $200,000, the average tax increase would be $385."