FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 2, 2009

Contact: Michael Cox (503) 986-1904

 

More Park Place than Main Street

Republicans’ HB 3095 gets hearing in House committee

 

SALEM – House Republicans today pitched their so-called “Main Street” proposal before the House Sustainability and Economic Development Committee, Chaired by Representative Tobias Read (D-Beaverton).  The bill, HB 3095, would give property owners huge tax breaks for renovating their homes or businesses, taking an estimated $225 million from state coffers at a time when schools, healthcare and public safety are facing deep cuts.

 

“This proposal is the wrong approach at the wrong time.  Taxpayers should not be subsidizing expensive renovations when most Oregonians are just trying to hang onto their homes,” said Representative Ben Cannon (D-Portland).  “This bill will not help cash-strapped Oregon families make improvements to their homes or small businesses.”

 

Critics point out that the Republican proposal does not require remodeling projects to include sustainable technology or promote energy efficiency.  As a result many of those able to take advantage of the proposed tax credit will simply carry out cosmetic upgrades to their properties.

 

“Home and business owners need an affordable way to access technical expertise for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects, and they want quality standards for contractors who perform the work,” said House Democratic Majority Leader Mary Nolan (D-SW Portland).  “HB 3095 fails on both counts.”

 

The criticism of the Republican proposal extends beyond environmental concerns.  Advocates for long-term healthcare, one of the few growing sectors of the economy, say that the $225 million the Republican proposal would take from the state budget could be better spent.

 

“If the legislature were to invest that money in long term healthcare, Oregon could leverage federal funds and create nearly three times as many jobs for nurses, nurse’s assistants and medical technicians – jobs that wouldn’t end with the construction project,” said Representative Michael Dembrow (D NE Portland/Parkrose/Maywood Park).

 

HB 3095 is not scheduled for future hearings.

 

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