Oregon Schools: People Favor Higher Taxes To Avoid School Cuts Says New Poll

As the state faces a $1.6 billion budget deficit, Oregonians say they support legislators making cuts but say that they should stay away from schools. That's the result of a new poll commissioned by the Oregon School Boards Association.

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The poll of 600 Oregonians asked people to identify what they think the legislature's funding priorities should be. Public K-12 education was named the top priority as as the next three issues - including public safety - combined.

"This poll clearly shows how much Oregonians value our public schools, and that they are willing to tackle the difficult choices we need to make so our students receive the education they deserve," said Betty Reynolds, president of the OSBA board of directors.

The poll found that roughly half of all voters would support raising personal income taxes to avoid cuts to schools in such areas as laying off teachers, cutting science classes or cutting tech or textbook school funding. To avoid those same cuts about 2 of every 3 voters support raising corporate taxes.

About 2 of every 3 voters support changing Oregon's Constitution to mandate that the state fully fund K-12 education, even if that requires a 25 percent increase in schools funding.

"Our state's voters are looking for leadership on the issue of revenue reform," OSBA Executive Director Jim Green said. "We all know that taxes are always a tough subject for legislators, but for nearly a decade we've been balancing the state budget on the backs of our students. Our young people need better from us."

Most Oregonians agree that the state needs a more diverse tax system that is less reliant on personal income taxes (71% strongly or somewhat agree) and that the state should maintain a Rainy Day Fund for tough times (86 percent strongly or somewhat agree). About 61 percent would strongly or somewhat support eliminating the tax "kicker" to use as a Rainy Day Fund for K-12 education.

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