Car rental tax increase passes in Multnomah County
The Multnomah County Board of County Commissioners passed an ordinance change – introduced by Commissioner Jeff Cogen – to increase the current Motor Vehicle Rental Tax (MVRT) from 12.5 percent to 17 percent. The increase is estimated to raise an additional $4.7 million for the County’s General Fund.
The increase brought various out supporters from around the County. Their main concerns were funding social services and public safety. Twenty residents testified, mostly in favor of the 4.5% increase. There were also over 60 supporters; most of whom stood when Alisa Keny-Guyer was testifying in favor of funding programs for children and families.
“This is a once in a lifetime financial crisis and it requires bold action from leaders who can make a difference,” said Cogen. “While this doesn’t close our $45 million dollar budget deficit, it is part of a balanced solution that will protect vulnerable populations while not shifting the burden to middle class families in Multnomah County.”
The ordinance passed with all commissioners present in favor. Commissioner Shiprack was absent but expressed her support through Chair Wheeler.
Posted on May 7, 2009
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Comments
(Note: Comments are the views of their authors, and no one else.)
Posted by: IgnoRANTwrld - May 8, 2009 07:01 AM
Yes, let's wage a war on any new taxes. But first, we will not drive drunk so we can cut the DUII Unit,stop having babies we cannot support to axe the WIC programs & Healthy Baby Initiatives,then we need to close all the borders as to not incur any more free health care benefits for Immigrants, not to mention low income citizens, minorities and those pesky little school-based health clinic users. Lets next stop stealing aluminum off of peoples houses,clubbing people with blunt objects and robbing others so the jails can be more like the ones in Bonanza or The Andy Griffith Show (though there are a few Barney Fife types in County cruisers). Insert Wapato joke here. Probation/Supervision,Old-crumbling bridges,Pharmacies,Xrays TB and communicable disease programs,dental,food servers cert.. Instead of criticizing the consequences, how about helping to find a way to change the actions and behaviors. It's called humanity with its struggles and imperfections, and it is expensive to cover the costs.
Posted by: Brett Hyland - May 8, 2009 10:16 AM
...A 17% tax to rent a car! Are you kidding me! This is a lousy tax increase. I travel for business and cannot stand being plundered by municipalities that insist on gouging me while I am there spending money in their fine community. A tax of 17% is nothing less than highway robbery by County Commissioners who know fully well that a faceless, out of town visitor poses no real threat at the ballot box. Taxing out-of-towners 17% for anything is nothing less than a practice in the type of discriminatory, NIMBY behavior that is said not to exist in our feel-good/everybody's-equal County.
Posted by: ryan - May 19, 2009 06:25 AM
Big events and celebrations needs to be planned ahead of time to avoid delays and failure. This does not mean to be a perfect celebration but at least a smooth flow of events would be enough.