Study Claims Prop. 59 Would Hurt Education in Oregon

A new study suggests that a proposed tax measure on the November ballot would take a smaller bite out of state revenue than expected but could damage education, health or public safety programs.

The Oregon Center for Public Policy study says that Measure 59 could reduce income tax revenues by $1.1 billion - less than half the $2.4 billion impact projected by state officials.

But the study notes that $1.1 billion loss of revenue could fund the entire public university system, teacher salaries or a state health care program.

Measure 59 is nearly identical to another measure proposed by tax activist Bill Sizemore that was defeated in 2000. Measure 59 would abolish the federal income tax deduction cap, a change the study says would mostly benefit the wealthy.