Comments on: Oregon is Doing at Least One Thing Right

By: filosapher

filosapher — Wed, 04 May 2011 22:58:02 +0000

We really do not have a balanced budget. Consider the
unfunded liabilities the state is saddled with. Check to see how
they are being paid each budget period.

By: bob

bob — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:40:50 +0000

My Wife and I are likely moving to NC, TX, or some other Southeastern state. Most states on the West Coast are overpriced and have severe legislation/budget/unemployment problems. NC and TX regularly make the list as the best places to live and raise a family, mainly because they are affordable and have better job opportunities. I personally can’t wait to get out of the West Coast.

By: Katie @ Kitchen Stewardship

Katie @ Kitchen Stewardship — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 06:29:30 +0000

I’m from Michigan…so we’re the worst in unemployment, and our deficit is pretty serious, 2.1 billion. Oh yeah, we feel it. So many people lost jobs b/c of the big 3 car companies having trouble. Many schools are closing because people are leaving the state. Houses are for sale everywhere, and no one can sell. Def. tough times, I’m glad I know how to budget, live frugally, and feel blessed that my husband has a job (for today, at least)!!! What an interesting link!

By: DDFD at DivorcedDadFrugalDad.com

DDFD at DivorcedDadFrugalDad.com — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 01:31:52 +0000

Glad to hear it can be done- a balanced budget! More states should try it . . .

By: Diana

Diana — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 22:18:02 +0000

Lunette – question re property tax -

Although I’ve not conducted work for every state, I’ve not ran across one yet that does not have property taxes. Because your inquiry intrigued me, I did some looking and found the artcile at the address below:

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Taxes/Advice/PropertyTaxesWhereDoesYourStateRank.aspx

Honestly, I was suprised that Alaska has property tax (and not one of the lower at that), since there are so many stipends to get people to live there.

There are days when I’m tempted to think “it’s all the same; the gov’t gets your dollars one way or another — it just takes different forms.” Deep down, however, the biggest difference is substance over form. In other words, it comes down to how the state stewards the taxes and also where you want to live (even if your state is not the best). In my situation, I would LOVE to live in Colorado forever and pray God provides for me to stay here (although taxes are somewhat high and the state has a small deficit). My best job prospect right now is to move to a state where the taxes (in total) are relatively less. That state is one where there are sales, property, and income taxes, but the biggest source is sales (due to high tourism).

Go figure!

By: currency

currency — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 09:32:27 +0000

Oregon girls: Engaged by 22, unengaged by 24. True in almost every case I’ve seen.

By: Affacturage

Affacturage — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 09:32:12 +0000

The argument that the US suffered violent economic cycles in the laissez faire markets of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries from which we have been spared by the wise actions of the Fed and counter cyclical federal spending is demolished in two ways. First, these periods were characterized by frequent overzealous lending of fiat money, sometimes by private banks, sometimes by banks set up by the government, and it doesn’t matter who creates the bogus money. Second, much of the economic history of the period is stated in terms of nominal dollars, and in some periods, when the money was actually stable while production increased, nominal prices fell, as they must

By: Lunette

Lunette — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:30:49 +0000

I forgot to say that I also am very happy Oregonians voted in the balanced budget amendment. Doesn’t that just make sense? Doesn’t seem like we would even have to vote on that. It should be a given but apparently it is not. I don’t understand why some think it is a bad idea to have a balanced budget amendment for the Federal Government. Can anyone explain that to me?

By: Lunette

Lunette — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:26:07 +0000

I have lived in Oregon for 47 years. I am about to move to some other state, but I don’t know where at the moment. I love the fact that Oregon does not have a sales tax and have voted it down every time, but I would vote it in if we would be assured that the property tax would be eliminated. Are there states where there is no property tax? I feel the property tax is the most unfair tax of all. As long as there is a property tax one never really owns the land they buy because every year you have to pay the government taxes on that property and if you don’t you lose the land. A sales tax is fair as long as basic necessities like food are exempt, but I say that not having any experience living with a sales tax. I would much rather pay a sales tax than property tax.

By: Lynnae

Lynnae — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 20:11:36 +0000

Robert in SF: Yep, that’s a typo! Thanks for catching it. We have an income and property tax. I’ll correct that shortly.

Marci & Diana – I would much prefer property and sales tax, too. But I’m glad we don’t have all three!