Educators Launch Statewide Effort to Pass Tax Fairness Measures

PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 7 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Educators often make home visits to talk with parents about their student's academic progress. This Saturday, educators around Oregon will take the "home visit" concept one step further -- and will go door-to-door in their communities to talk with voters about the impact to Oregon schools if two tax fairness measures, Measures 66 and 67, aren't passed.

"Passing Measures 66 and 67 ensures corporations and the rich pay their fair share to ensure students receive the education they need to compete in a 21st century global economy," said Gail Rasmussen, an educator from Eagle Point and president of the Oregon Education Association.

More than 700 classroom teachers, school secretaries, custodians, librarians and other educators will join volunteers in a statewide door-to-door canvass on Saturday, Jan. 9 to encourage voters to support Measures 66 and 67.

Measures 66 and 67 make Oregon's tax system fairer and protect critical education services. Passage of the measures safeguards nearly $285 million for K-12 education by raising the corporate minimum tax from $10 to $150 for the first time since 1931 and increasing the tax rates on household income above $250,000. Currently more than two thirds of corporations doing business in Oregon pay just $10 a year in the corporate minimum income tax. The measures also protect $24.4 million for Oregon's community colleges, preventing tuition and fee increases and $39.9 million for the Oregon University System, keeping higher education and professional training accessible.

Ballots must be returned by Jan. 26, 2010.

Canvass Locations

Before going door to door, educators will gather at the following locations: Start times vary.

Portland, Portland Association of Teachers: 345 NE 8th Portland, OR

Salem, Oregon Education Association: 2540 Coral Avenue NE, Salem, OR

Eugene/Springfield: 2815 Coburg Rd, Eugene, OR

Bend: Bend High School 230 NE 6th Street, Bend, OR

Medford, Oregon Education Association: 2495 South Pacific Highway, Medford, OR

Educators who are participating in the canvass are available to talk with media. Please contact Cynthia Kain at 202-213-5971 for specific availability.

The Oregon Education Association represents 48,000 educators statewide, including K-12 classroom teachers and education support professionals -- school secretaries, counselors, nurses, custodians and other school employees, as well as faculty at Oregon's community colleges.

    For More Information Contact:
    Cynthia Kain 202-213-5971 cell or [email protected]

SOURCE Oregon Education Association