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CLEAR Temp: 55 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Friday, October 3, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine Joy Magazine Tempo A & E RogueValleyAutoFinder RogueValleyHomeFinder Real Estate Showcase Wellness Connection Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Employment Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend September 15, 2003 Mannix visits Medford on ‘no tax’ platform By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune Republican leader Kevin Mannix will drum up support in Medford Tuesday for a ballot initiative that some in his own party are wary of supporting. The former gubernatorial candidate has become the front man in an effort to overturn a temporary tax that raises $800 million for schools and health care. "The only way citizens can fight back is to say, ‘We will not pay more for taxes,’ " said Mannix. He will meet with the Jackson County Republican Central Committee at 7 p.m. at the Congregational Church of Medford, 1801 E. Jackson St. Advertisement Bob Luther, who was Jackson County campaign manager for Mannix’s gubernatorial bid, said he still hasn’t taken a stance on the tax. "I still believe that taxing higher in a down time is theoretically not bright," he said. "But we’re in an immediate bind." Luther, who is a moderate Republican, worries about the repercussions to state services if the tax isn’t implemented. But he wants to hear from Mannix firsthand his solutions for dealing with the state’s budget problem before making a decision. Medford Republican Rep. Rob Patridge, who spearheaded the legislative effort that unblocked the budgetary logjam, remembers receiving Mannix’s approval of the surcharge concept. "We had a one-on-one conversation about the surcharge," said Patridge. "He thought it was a viable solution." The only thing Mannix and other Republicans might dispute, based on his conversations, is the amount being raised by the tax, he said. "Why did they want to mention a surcharge if they don’t want to raise taxes at all?" he questioned. During the legislative session, conservative Republicans could have pushed for a less costly, more efficient government but consistently backed away from those kinds of discussions, said Patridge. "Conservatives are unwilling to consolidate school districts," he said. "They didn’t want to talk about the consolidation of insurance plans for schools that would have saved $100 million." Since 65 percent of the state’s budget is sent to local governments and school districts, Patridge said conservatives feared any consolidation efforts would mean a loss of local control. Mannix said Democratic legislators and the governor played a waiting game, stonewalling any measures that would have helped limit government. "They waited until enough time had passed that Republicans became desperate enough," he said. Despite Patridge’s assertions about a conversation over the tax issue, Mannix said, "I don’t remember a one-on-one with Rob." He did say that he remembers having "academic" discussions with legislators about the need for additional revenues. He described the discussions as "what-if" scenarios that gauged the potential public reaction to hypothetical tax increases. "At $250 million, you could possibly say it would be painful but not painful enough to cause reverberations," he said. Even though he remembers discussing such things as income tax surcharges, Mannix said that doesn’t mean he supported them. "What really torques me is that incidental and accidental comments are twisted by people looking for cover," he said. Mannix said he would develop a government reform package that he would release sometime after he gathers the signatures necessary to get the referendum on the ballot. While he hasn’t spelled out the list of proposed cuts, Mannix did say he would cut back on programs the government has created but won’t fund, such as state testing for schools. Bryan Platt, chairman of the Jackson County Republican Committee, said Mannix’s appearance should help stimulate interest in the referendum locally. A conservative Republican, Platt opposes what he calls the biggest tax increase in Oregon’s history and predicts it will be overturned by voters. He said he already has made plans to back Mannix’s referendum campaign. "I will be working on it," he said. "I will be handing out petitions at the meeting." Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times