SALEM, Oregon — Representative Christine Drazan (R-Canby) released the following statement in reaction to the recent Legislative Council opinion regarding the constitutional implications of the natural gas tax in HB 2020.
“Any
revenues from the taxation of natural gas in Oregon must be deposited
into the Common School Fund and cannot be used to mitigate climate
change. HB 2020 spends millions, but certain natural gas taxes are
constitutionally protected. This money belongs in our classrooms.
“Cap and Trade will unconstitutionally divert money away from our children’s education, into the pet projects of unelected bureaucrats. We cannot let that happen,” Rep. Drazan said.
The
recently released Legislative Counsel opinion includes a requirement
that the tax on natural gas not exceed 6% and that the tax on natural
gas must abide by the dormant commerce clause, none of which is included
in the language of HB 2020. These additional challenges to the funding
and structure of HB 2020, come on the heels of the revelation that cap
and trade will harm Oregon’s bond rating and in a matter of years
cripple the Highway Trust Fund — effectively reversing recent
bipartisan, bicameral legislation adopted to strengthen Oregon’s economy
by funding a functional transportation system that efficiently moves
people and goods.
“The most recent May 15 legislative opinion makes it clear that Oregon can’t just adopt California’s cap-and-trade scheme. Given what we now know, HB 2020 is not ready for adoption. I encourage my colleagues to take the time necessary to get this right,” Rep. Drazan concluded.
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