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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Ashland Culture of Peace Commission creates 'an infrastructure for peace' ... Child's age should guide discussions on death ... City communication needs attention ... Ashland Culture of Peace Commission creates 'an infrastructure for peace' ... Child's age should guide discussions on death ... City communication needs attention ... OUR VIEW Our View: Return of the kicker Comment DailyTidings.com Writer Posted Aug. 28, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Aug. 28, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News Oregon is about to once again embark on the insanity that is the kicker refunds to state taxpayers. It is a system that rewards taxpayers with a very modest financial boost, while ensuring that the state will struggle in the next economic downturn. The kicker law, which is unique to this state (none other is so foolish), sends money back to taxpayers when the revenue received exceeds the projected amount by more than 2 percent. This year, those revenues will be about 3 percent above projections, which means the state must return $402 million. The kicker being triggered does not mean that individual taxpayers paid more than expected. It is more representative of economic improvement in the state as a whole — more people working means more income from those added jobs, which in turn means more income taxes. Across the state, households and businesses know that they need to tuck away money during the good times so they can weather the bad times. But the kicker law prevents the state of Oregon from doing the same. That will mean more public services cut in the next downturn. Most people are familiar with the concept of the Tragedy of the Commons, in which minor benefits to individuals add up to major losses for the community at large. The kicker is just that: For a median rebate of $124 per household — about the cost of one night at the Ashland Holiday Inn — we have agreed to put essential public services at risk. DailyTidings.com Writer Posted Aug. 28, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. DailyTidings.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501