Lawmakers grapple over extra revenue

SALEM — Oregon has come into an unexpected windfall, and now it's up to lawmakers to figure out what to do with it.

Personal and corporate income tax collections during the 2019 tax filing season were dramatically higher than state economists expected, according to a report that was released Wednesday, May 15. While much of that money will go back to taxpayers next year in the form of Oregon's unique “kicker” rebate, the new forecast gives legislative budget-writers about three-quarters of a billion dollars more to work with as they decide how Oregon will spend its money over the next two years.

They aren't getting too excited, though.

“It may seem strange, but the revenue forecast does not change the method in which we’re budgeting,” said state Rep. Dan Rayfield, D-Corvallis, who co-chairs the budget writing committee. “We are still looking at reduction options. We are still being cautious and prudent about how we spend the resources that the state has.”

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