State Rep. for HD17, businessman, family man. Taking our state back.
Oregon, USA
Joined February 2023
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🚨 OREGON'S UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE PLAN: THE TAX BILL IS STARTING TO COME INTO FOCUS
Oregon's Universal Health Plan Governance Board is working on a government-run universal health care system.
This is a years-long Oregon Democratic policy project that has now advanced under Kotek from a task-force concept into an official implementation and financing plan - with Kotek signing the enabling legislation and appointing its governing board.
And the preliminary tax numbers are staggering.
The board's financing work has been built around roughly $17–18+ BILLION PER YEAR in state replacement revenue — primarily through new taxes on individuals and employers.
That's not a one-time expenditure. That's an enormous new annual state revenue structure.
The preliminary financing proposal has included:
🔴 A new 10.1% Health Care Personal Income Taxon income above 200% of the federal poverty level.
🔴 A new 9.6% employer payroll tax on payroll above a proposed $500,000 exemption.
🔴 A 3 percentage-point increase in the corporate income tax.
🔴 An additional 0.10 percentage-point Corporate Activity Tax.
These aren't final rates. In fact, that's part of the problem.
The board was supposed to deliver its comprehensive plan in September. That work is now being pushed into December while major questions about financing remain unresolved.
Could Oregon Have Gotten a Better Blazers Deal for Less Taxpayer Money?
Oregon put $365 million in state financing on the table for the Moda Center.
Now, Robert Miller's research comparing 11 NBA arena agreements suggests something remarkable: Despite that enormous public commitment, Portland's proposed agreement ranks last in his analysis of attractiveness to the new owner.
How does that happen?
When the Legislature voted to authorize the $365 million, I voted NO.
Not because I wanted the Trail Blazers to leave Oregon. I absolutely want them to stay.
I voted no because we were doing things backwards.
We were committing hundreds of millions in state financing BEFORE negotiating the complete deal.
And here's something many people don't realize: That $365 million could cost Oregon taxpayers between $530 million and $625 million, including bond interest over 20 years.
That's state income tax revenue that otherwise could support schools, public safety, roads, and other priorities.
Yet according to Miller's analysis, the proposed agreement still exposes the private operator to substantial operating risks, maintenance liabilities, and restrictions on commercial opportunities.
Think about that. We put hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars on the table, yet the proposed business deal still isn't attractive to the people expected to operate the arena.
Meanwhile, other cities have completed or negotiated substantial NBA arena projects without requiring comparable state financing.
Which brings me right back to my original objection:
Could we have negotiated a deal that was MORE attractive to the Blazers and LESS expensive for Oregon taxpayers?
What if we had offered different commercial opportunities, more predictable operating obligations, or a better allocation of financial risk?
Could those changes have reduced the need for hundreds of millions in state financing?
I don't know the answer. And that's precisely my point.
We should have explored those possibilities BEFORE putting $365 million in state financing on the table.
The bonds haven't been issued yet, and the final agreement is still being negotiated. These questions still matter.
I want the Blazers to stay. I want Moda Center to thrive. And I want Oregon taxpayers protected.
We should be examining whether we can accomplish all three with less state money and less financial risk.
Robert Miller's research is worth reading:
Portland's Arena Offer Ranks Last Among 11 NBA Deals:
robertmiller282650.substack.…
Put Portland and the Blazers on the Same Side of the Dollar:
oregonroundup.substack.com/p…
Good intentions are not a substitute for good negotiating. And taxpayer money should never be the opening bid.
ALT Moda Center with Ed Diehl for Oregon branding and the quote: Oregon put hundreds of millions on the table and still doesn’t have a deal that works.
Real Ed Diehl retweeted
If we can flip legislative seats red, end the Democratic supermajority, balancing our legislature, that will sloe down the train wreck and make Kotek lame duck.
Also, and this is huge, join me as a member of OregonFreedom.com
And we can affect change ourselves, putting another check and balance on our lopsided Oregon government. Please join. Only $5/mo.
Real Ed Diehl retweeted
Most Americans want members of Congress banned from trading stocks. A bipartisan bill to do that passed the House. Janelle Bynum voted no. Why? #OR05
Join Commissioner Colm Willis, HD17 candidate Dan Farrington, and me for Election Night at Snow Peak Brewing in Stayton!
Tuesday, Nov. 3 • Starting at 6:30 PM
280 E Water St
See you there!
I’m proud to endorse Mark Kronquist for Stayton City Council.
Mark served as a senior advisor on my campaign for governor. I saw firsthand his creativity, commitment to fiscal responsibility, and willingness to roll up his sleeves wherever help was needed.
He brings local government experience and a heart for serving others. Stayton would be well served by Mark Kronquist. He has my full support!
Oregon Coalition of Police and Sheriffs confirm that Janelle Bynum "is no friend to law enforcement," and she has "disgraced Oregon police officers and all Oregonians."
Throughout her career she has made our streets and our schools LESS safe.
Time for a positive change, vote @PattiAdairOR
Oregon is at a crossroads. @ChristineDrazan breaks down exactly what needs to change on taxes, business, homelessness, and education in this interview. @sbjoregon
Real Ed Diehl retweeted
A bill’s title almost never tells the whole story.
New fees, higher tax rates, and automatic increases can be buried in the fine print.
Taxpayers deserve to know what they’re being asked to pay before a bill becomes law.
Follow the money. Fight back.
notaxus.org
This is a turnout election.
In 2022 we left 120,000 Republican ballots on kitchen tables. We lost the governor’s race by less than 70,000 votes and House and Senate seats by just a few hundred.
We are not doing that again.
GOTVOregon.com is building a 1,000-volunteer army to chase ballots the final weekend—Oct 31 through Nov 2. Knock doors, make calls, send texts, remind people to return their ballots. Two hours is the minimum. No experience needed.
Sign up: GOTVOregon.com
Two hours. One election. Let’s bring the votes home and save Oregon.
Ballots are out.
I’m voting for @ChristineDrazan for Governor and Dan Farrington for Oregon for State Representative in House District 17.
This is a turnout election. Return your ballot and help us take back Oregon.
Kaylub Giamanco is an American hero.
A father of two, a concealed carry permit holder, and a man who ran toward danger to protect innocent children when every second mattered.
His courage reminds us why the right of law-abiding citizens to carry a firearm is so important. When evil strikes, a good person prepared to act can save lives.
We mourn the innocent lives lost in Bend, and we honor this father's extraordinary courage.
God bless Kaylub Giamanco.
Kotek’s Prosperity Council recommendations are nothing new. She’s ignored or blocked nearly every one of them for years. This is window dressing, not real action.
LISTEN:
Let’s finish strong. Andrew Fudge is hosting a volunteer door knocking kickoff this Saturday in West Salem.
Breakfast and orientation included, and the first 20 volunteers get a free trucker hat!
Saturday, October 17
9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Roth’s Event Center, Salem
Fudge4Oregon.org
Heartbroken by the shooting at Silver Rail Elementary in Bend. My prayers are with the victims, their families, the students and staff, and the first responders who rushed to help.
Oregon stands with the Bend community in this time of grief.
