For Immediate Release
Contact: Molly Woon
press [at] dpo [dot] org
Oregon Democrats: Knute Buehler must make clear his position on historic GOP tax bill
December 1st, 2017
PORTLAND — While the clock ticks down on a final vote on the GOP Tax proposal in Congress, Democrats are calling on Republican gubernatorial candidate Knute Buehler to weigh in on Congress’s attempt to make the most significant tax-code changes since 1986.
The Republican tax plan will hurt millions of Americans who will see their taxes go up. The bill will:
- Increase taxes on half of American households, including 2 in 3 middle-income families;
- Take $5 billion from the middle class and give it to the rich through huge tax cuts;
- Hurt lower-income Americans by raising health care premiums starting in 2019; and
- Throw working people and families under the bus by cutting Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, education, and other programs Americans rely on.
- As a whole, Americans will be worse off in just a few years than if Congress had done nothing.
“Oregonians need to know where their candidates stand on this tax scam that will increase taxes on many middle-class and lower-income Americans while providing massive giveaways to billionaires and wealthy corporations,” said Jeanne Atkins, Chair of the Democratic Party of Oregon. “Governor Kate Brown has already weighed in on the bill, warning that it will hurt working families while benefiting wealthy and well-connected. Now it’s time for Republican Knute Buehler to take a position on this proposal.”
Many predict that the GOP tax plan will cost jobs by encouraging corporations to move American jobs overseas with a zero percent rate on most foreign profits. Meanwhile, small businesses on Main Street will find it harder to compete. In fact, a majority of small business owners oppose the Republican tax plan because they know it would benefit large corporations over small businesses.
“Knute Buehler’s personal wealth separates him from the vast majority of working class Oregonians,” said Atkins. “He needs to make clear where he stands and if he would personally benefit from this tax scam.”
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