S-0751.1  _______________________________________________

 

                    SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 8008

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State of Washington      57th Legislature     2001 Regular Session

 

By Senators Benton and Carlson

 

Read first time 01/18/2001.  Referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

Requesting a joint Oregon-Washington committee on taxation be established.


    TO THE HONORABLE JOHN A. KITZHABER, GOVERNOR OF OREGON, AND TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, AND TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF OREGON:

    We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:

    WHEREAS, Washington exempts Oregon residents who purchase goods in Washington from sales tax to create sales tax equality between the two states; and

    WHEREAS, Washington residents who work in Oregon, or who have spouses that work in Oregon, must pay Oregon income taxes; and

    WHEREAS, The State of Washington imposes no similar income tax on Oregon residents working in Washington; and

    WHEREAS, It is estimated that approximately 60,000 Washington residents commute to Oregon every day which constitutes a considerable portion of Portland's work force;

    WHEREAS, It is estimated that Washington residents provide Oregon with 70 million dollars in income tax revenue; and

    WHEREAS, Washington residents pay this Oregon income tax despite receiving very few or no services in return; and

    WHEREAS, This situation is much more serious than mere taxation without representation;

    NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully request that a joint committee on taxation, consisting of an equal number of legislators from both states, be established to study the issue of tax fairness for residents residing in one state who are employed, conduct business, or make purchases in the other state.

    BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Honorable John A. Kitzhaber, Governor of Oregon, and to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and to the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Oregon.

 


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