Posts Tagged ‘Senator Ginny Burdick’

HB 3672 biggest change to tax credit system in decades

SALEM – Landmark legislation that implements sweeping reform of Oregon’s tax credit system was approved in the Senate this afternoon. HB 3672 will rein in over a dozen tax credits, saving the state $368 million between now and 2017.

Continue reading “Tax incentive overhaul approved by Senate” »

HB 2825 will require greater transparency around tax credits and job growth

SALEM – The Senate approved a bill this morning that will require information about tax credits intended to promote economic development and create jobs to be posted on the Oregon Transparency website. House Bill 2825 will help the public access information on who receives these tax incentives and determine whether the intended results actually occurred.

“HB 2825 requires state agencies to report data that shows the real impact of a tax expenditure,” said Senator Ginny Burdick (D-Portland), co-sponsor of the bill and chair of the Senate Finance and Revenue Committee.  “This knowledge will improve the accountability of programs to ensure the public gets the best return on investment possible. In the long run, this will save taxpayers money and improve government efficiency.”

Continue reading “Tax incentive info to be posted online under bill passed by Senate” »

SB 301 will reconnect Oregon tax code to key federal provisions

SALEM –Legislation that “reconnects” the Oregon tax code to key provisions in federal tax code passed off the Senate floor with a unanimous vote this morning. This move will help Oregon college students and parents while streamlining the filing process for the tax year 2010.

“We know that college students and parents are already struggling with the costs of a college education and this bill will give them a little extra relief,” said Senator Ginny Burdick (D-Portland), chair of the Senate Finance and Revenue Committee. “More and more Oregonians have returned to college to learn new skills or start a new career. Reconnecting will especially help those adult students who are juggling work and school.”

During the 2009 session, the Legislature passed HB 2157, a bill that “disconnected” Oregon tax code from the federal code, saving the state tens of millions of dollars while giving Oregon greater flexibility during the economic downturn. That bill left open the option of adopting some or all future changes in the federal tax code during the 2011 Legislative Session.

Today’s bill, SB 301, reconnects Oregon to a number of provisions in the federal tax code that have modified since 2009. These provisions will affect some Oregonians’ state income tax returns for 2010.

One key provision is an above-the-line, means-tested tax deduction of up to $4,000 for college tuition and related expenses that could help over 50,000 tax filers. Additionally, SB 301 reconnects to a federal provision that allows parents to keep their children on their health care plans up to age 27 tax free, as proscribed in the federal health care overhaul passed last year.

“Colleges students and parents across Oregon are already preparing and submitting their taxes for 2010,” said Senate Majority Leader Diane Rosenbaum. “Passing this bill expediently will help them get an extra break on the high costs of college and health care.”

Continue reading “Senate approves legislation giving tax relief to students and parents” »

SB 301 will reconnect Oregon tax code to key federal provisions

SALEM – The Senate Finance and Revenue committee passed out legislation this afternoon that “reconnects” the Oregon tax code to key provisions in federal tax code. This move will help Oregon college students and parents while streamlining the filing process for the tax year 2010.

“By reconnecting to these key provisions, we are providing welcome tax relief to middle class families and students,” said Senator Ginny Burdick (D-Portland), chair of the committee. “This legislation will be especially helpful to students who are working their way through college, including the increasing number of adult students who are trying to make ends meet while going back to school to learn new skills or start a new career.”

During the 2009 session, the Legislature passed HB 2157, a bill that “disconnected” Oregon tax code from the federal code, saving the state tens of millions of dollars while giving Oregon greater flexibility during the economic downturn. That bill left open the option of adopting some or all future changes in the federal tax code during the 2011 Legislative Session.

Today’s bill, SB 301, reconnects Oregon to a number of provisions in the federal tax code that have modified since 2009. These provisions will affect some Oregonians’ state income tax returns for 2010.

One key provision is an above-the-line, means-tested tax deduction of up to $4,000 for college tuition and related expenses. Additionally, SB 301 reconnects to a federal provision that allows parents to keep their children on their health care plans up to age 27 tax free, as proscribed in the federal health care overhaul passed last year.

Oregonians who have questions about their eligibility for these provisions or who need help completing their taxes can contact the Oregon Department of Revenue at 1-800-356-4222 or visit http://www.oregon.gov/DOR/taxhelp.shtml. In addition, CASH Oregon and AARP offer free tax preparation assistance for Oregonians. See http://www.cashoregon.org/taxprep/sites.htm for a list of sites.

The bill will go to the Senate floor tomorrow morning.

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For more information on the Senate Majority Caucus, please visit orsenatemajority.org

Rosenbaum & Burdick praise provision that requires worker accommodation

Two chief sponsors of state legislation to improve workplace conditions for mothers who are breastfeeding praised provisions in the federal health care bill signed into law last week.  Inspired by House Bill 2372 from the 2007 session, the federal legislation extends these standards nation-wide.  The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act states that employers with more than 50 employees must provide reasonable, unpaid break time and a private, non-bathroom place for an employee to express breast milk for her nursing child for one year after the child’s birth.

“Oregon’s landmark workplace breastfeeding law was a major achievement of the Oregon Women’s Health and Wellness Alliance and the Oregon Nursing Mother’s Counsel,” said Senator Diane Rosenbaum (D-Portland), one of two chief House sponsors in 2007. “Oregon has led the nation with a model law that promotes the benefits of breastfeeding.”

“The benefits of accommodating breastfeeding are significant for mothers, their children, and employers,” said Senator Ginny Burdick (D-Portland), the chief sponsor of the 2007 bill in the Senate. “Lower absenteeism, higher worker morale, and healthier children are in everyone’s best interest.”

Both legislators praised U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley for his advocacy on this issue during the recent debate on health care reform. Last year, he introduced the “Reasonable Break Time for Nursing Mothers” as an amendment to the Senate HELP Committee’s health reform bill that ultimately was signed into law. Continue reading “Breastfeeding provision in federal health care reform follows Oregon’s lead” »