2008 OR Senate Debate: on Tax Reform


Gordon Harold Smith: I believe in pro-growth tax cuts

Asked about the Bush tax cuts, in particular how Smith could defend them in light of the current economic crisis, Smith said, “I believe in pro-growth tax cuts.” He said that Oregonians today were paying lower federal taxes because of him, but higher state taxes because of Merkley’s work in the state Legislature.

Merkley addressed Smith directly: “The fact is, Gordon, you’ve voted for taxes 67 times.” Merkley said he would support Obama’s proposed plan to raise taxes on people making more than $250,000 per year.

Taxes came up again when both candidates were asked whether it was smart to cut taxes during a time when the national debt is growing. Merkley hung the blame on Smith’s shoulders. “Do you understand that our children are going to have to pay back the debt you are running up?” he asked.

“So what would you have me do?” Smith asked. Much of the money he’s asked for, Smith said, has been because state senators, representatives and others back home have asked him for it.

Source: 2008 Oregon Senate Debate reported by AP on KATU Oct 9, 2008

Jeff Merkley: Supports raising taxes on earnings over $250,000 per year

Asked about the Bush tax cuts, in particular how Smith could defend them in light of the current economic crisis, Smith said, “I believe in pro-growth tax cuts.” He said that Oregonians today were paying lower federal taxes because of him, but higher state taxes because of Merkley’s work in the state Legislature.

Merkley addressed Smith directly: “The fact is, Gordon, you’ve voted for taxes 67 times.” Merkley said he would support Obama’s proposed plan to raise taxes on people making more than $250,000 per year.

Taxes came up again when both candidates were asked whether it was smart to cut taxes during a time when the national debt is growing. Merkley hung the blame on Smith’s shoulders. “Do you understand that our children are going to have to pay back the debt you are running up?” he asked.

“So what would you have me do?” Smith asked. Much of the money he’s asked for, Smith said, has been because state senators, representatives and others back home have asked him for it.

Source: 2008 Oregon Senate Debate reported by AP on KATU Oct 9, 2008

  • The above quotations are from 2008 Oregon Senate Debate between Gordon Smith and Jeff Merkley.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Tax Reform.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
  • Click here for more quotes by Gordon Harold Smith on Tax Reform.
  • Click here for more quotes by Jeff Merkley on Tax Reform.
Candidates and political leaders on Tax Reform:

Retired Senate as of Jan. 2015:
GA:Chambliss(R)
IA:Harkin(D)
MI:Levin(D)
MT:Baucus(D)
NE:Johanns(R)
OK:Coburn(R)
SD:Johnson(D)
WV:Rockefeller(D)

Resigned from 113th House:
AL-1:Jo Bonner(R)
FL-19:Trey Radel(R)
LA-5:Rod Alexander(R)
MA-5:Ed Markey(D)
MO-9:Jo Ann Emerson(R)
NC-12:Melvin Watt(D)
SC-1:Tim Scott(R)
Retired House to run for Senate or Governor:
AR-4:Tom Cotton(R)
GA-1:Jack Kingston(R)
GA-10:Paul Broun(R)
GA-11:Phil Gingrey(R)
HI-1:Colleen Hanabusa(D)
IA-1:Bruce Braley(D)
LA-6:Bill Cassidy(R)
ME-2:Mike Michaud(D)
MI-14:Gary Peters(D)
MT-0:Steve Daines(R)
OK-5:James Lankford(R)
PA-13:Allyson Schwartz(D)
TX-36:Steve Stockman(R)
WV-2:Shelley Capito(R)
Retired House as of Jan. 2015:
AL-6:Spencer Bachus(R)
AR-2:Tim Griffin(R)
CA-11:George Miller(D)
CA-25:Howard McKeon(R)
CA-33:Henry Waxman(D)
CA-45:John Campbell(R)
IA-3:Tom Latham(R)
MN-6:Michele Bachmann(R)
NC-6:Howard Coble(R)
NC-7:Mike McIntyre(D)
NJ-3:Jon Runyan(R)
NY-4:Carolyn McCarthy(D)
NY-21:Bill Owens(D)
PA-6:Jim Gerlach(R)
UT-4:Jim Matheson(D)
VA-8:Jim Moran(D)
VA-10:Frank Wolf(R)
Please consider a donation to OnTheIssues.org!
Click for details -- or send donations to:
1770 Mass Ave. #630, Cambridge MA 02140
E-mail: submit@OnTheIssues.org
(We rely on your support!)

Page last updated: Dec 02, 2018