Carol Bobo
From Ballotpedia
Carol Bobo is office manager at Oregon Taxpayers United.
Ballot Participation
One of the chief petitioners of the following ballot measures in 2006:
SUMMARY: Amends the Oregon Constitution to require that judges of the Oregon Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals be elected by district. If approved the Legislature would be required to divide the state into seven districts for appointing and electing Supreme Court Judges and into five appellate districts with two Court of Appeals judges being elected or appointed from each.
- Ballot Measure 41
ALLOWS INCOME TAX DEDUCTION EQUAL TO FEDERAL EXEMPTIONS DEDUCTION TO SUBSTITUTE FOR STATE EXEMPTION CREDIT
DMR—YES. The key to lessening dependence on government programs and to lifting young and poor families out of poverty is to lessen their tax burdens. Measure 41 is family-friendly legislation that llowers tax burdens 24% for families earning less than $20,000. For a working mom earning $27,500 who pays childcare for two children her tax liability decreases $423—a 135% reduction. (LRO, p.10) The key to a successful economy is to enable families to spend more money on their own needs. Oregon State’s spending has escalated at 200-300% more than inflation for the past 15 years. Such increases are clearly unsustainable. Measure 41 will allow more money to stay in the pockets of the people and require more efficiency in the way state government operates. When needed, an emergency spending process is provided. This is pro-family legislation.
BACKGROUND: Currently Oregon Taxpayers may take a personal exemption tax credit for each exemption allowed under federal tax law. In 2005, that exemption was $154. Federal law allows taxpayers to take a $3,200 deduction for each exemption. ($3,400 projected for 2007.) SUMMARY: Ballot Measure 41 changes the way Oregon law treats personal exemptions by giving taxpayers the option of taking a tax deduction equal to the amount deducted on their federal tax returns. A taxpayer will be able to claim either the new deduction created by Ballot Measure 41 or take the existing personal exemption credit if the credit would result in a lower tax rate.
Since the measure is statutory the legislature can make changes. A repeal, delay or decrease in the amount of the deduction allowed would be subject to a 3/5 vote of both houses of the Legislature.
