(Oregon) Antitax referendum filing starts clock | Oregonian

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Antitax referendum filing starts clock

08/30/03

JAMES MAYER

Opponents of the Legislature's $800 million tax increase filed a referendum Friday aimed at giving voters the chance to kill the surtax in February.

Supporters of the tax increase -- recently passed to help balance an $11.6 billion state budget for 2003-05 -- immediately vowed to do what they could to keep it off the ballot.

The coming fight over the referendum continues a long-running war over taxes and spending in Oregon. One side contends that a tax increase isn't needed and will only harm the state's fragile economy. Others make the case that the tax is the only way to keep schools open a full year and vital services flowing to the elderly and needy.

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