Up for Debate: Supermajority Votes for Revenue
The Oregon Constitution already requires a 3/5 vote of each state legislative chamber for lawmakers to raise revenue. Measure 104 would further define revenue to include the repeal of tax exemptions, credits, and deductions that result in increased revenue.
At Friday Forum, we'll debate the pros and cons of this ballot measure and how it will affect Oregon taxpayers and state government if it is passed.
Yes on 104 Panel
Paul Cosgrove was born in Seattle, but raised in Klamath Falls and Clackamas County. He is an attorney licensed to practice in Oregon (since 1981) and Washington (since 1984), and has been affiliated with Lindsay Hart, LLP since 1987, where he now leads the Lindsay Hart State Government Affairs team. The team represents leading national and local trade associations and companies before the Oregon Legislature, agencies, and local governments. Paul attended Antioch College, Portland State University, and Western Washington University (Fairhaven College), where he got his BA with honors in 1974. He earned his law degree from Northwestern School of Law of Lewis and Clark College in 1981.
Jenny Dresler is the Director of Grassroots and and a lobbyist for the Public Affairs Counsel (PAC).
She previously served as director of state public policy at the Oregon Farm Bureau. As director, Jenny oversaw state lobbying on key issues—tax, employment, environment, and regulatory—and was the organization’s grassroots coordinator. Prior to Farm Bureau, Jenny worked for the Oregon Senate Republican caucus office and focused on natural resources policy. She began her professional career as an aide to U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) in Washington D.C.
She has a Bachelor’s degree in biology and a Master’s degree in environmental science with a focus on general business.
No on 104 Panel
Jon Bartholomew is the Government Relations Director for AARP Oregon. Prior to taking this position in 2014, he had been the Public Policy Director at the Alzheimer's Association Oregon Chapter, where he coordinated the creation of the State Plan for Alzheimer's Disease in Oregon. He has worked in public policy for 20 years, working on issues from after school program funding to media reform. Originally from Pennsylvania, he earned his Masters in Public Administration at the University of Washington.
Representative Rob Nosse (D) is the state representative for House District 42 in SE Portland, where he lives with his husband, Jim, and their two children. He has devoted his career to standing up for working people and helping to raise the bar for middle-class families. He is the Vice-Chair of the House Committee on Health Care and also serves on the Revenue and Rules committees.
Moderator
John Horvick is Vice President and Political Director at DHM Research, an independent and non-partisan public opinion and policy firm based in Portland. John regularly surveys Oregonians about their policy preferences and travels around the state to conduct focus groups with community members to understand their values and beliefs. He is a longtime City Club member and a past-president.