Mailbag; Rep Brett Davis writes: Votes NO

Davis Votes No on State Budget that Increases Taxes and Spending, Cuts Education Funding
Authors, supports amendments to improve certain provisions, but worst provisions remain

MADISON...Citing billions in tax increases, harmful non-fiscal policy, and lack of provisions geared to boost the state’s economy and create jobs, State Representative Brett Davis (R-Oregon) ultimately voted no on final passage of the 2009-11 state budget. The state budget bill was passed in the middle of the night at 5:19 am, on a narrow 50-48 vote.

“With so many families and small businesses faced with difficult economic times and forced to reduce their own budgets, the state should not be increasing its budget by spending 6.3% more ($3.6 billion), increasing taxes $3.7 billion, including a $1.48 billion property tax increase, all while cutting education and doing little to create jobs or promote economic development” said Davis. “Simply spending more money is not going to get our economy moving again or create jobs. This is the wrong time for the government to take more money out of people's pockets.”

In addition to the 6.3% spending increase, Davis noted several provisions that remained in the budget which will hurt hard working middle class families and made him unable to vote in favor of it including:


A new phone tax,
An increase in the gas tax,
New mandates that will increase the price of auto insurance,
An increase in the garbage tipping fee, all of which will be passed along to working families, seniors and businesses.
“I could not vote for a state budget that included so many provisions that will harm middle class families and our state’s economy,” stated Davis. “I worked hard to offer solutions to improve the budget, but overall it takes our state in the wrong direction.”

The state budget bill will now go to the State Senate, where it is expected to be taken up next week.