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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Man arrested for allegedly firing gun into air in west Medford ... Several fires reported on Fourth of July ... Our View: Better luck next time, but no guarantees ... Man arrested for allegedly firing gun into air in west Medford ... Several fires reported on Fourth of July ... Our View: Better luck next time, but no guarantees ... OUR VIEW Our View: State-imposed property tax not so far-fetched MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jul. 1, 2015 @ 12:01 am Posted Jul. 1, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> A proposed amendment to the Oregon Constitution setting a minimum property tax rate for all counties isn't as outlandish as it might seem at first glance. It's unlikely to see a vote in this legislative session, which is rapidly approaching adjournment, but residents of low-tax counties flirting with bankruptcy should take note. Because amending the state Constitution requires a vote of the people, the legislative measure is a joint resolution to refer the question to the ballot. Voters would be asked to set a minimum property tax rate of $2 per $1,000 assessed value in every county in the state. If approved, the amendment would affect only 13 of Oregon's 36 counties, because all the others — including Jackson — have permanent rates above $2 already. Among the 13 are Josephine and Curry counties, where voters have repeatedly refused to take responsibility for their own public services by turning down levy proposals to pay for police protection, prosecutors and jails. Some reasonable leaders in those counties support the idea of imposing a statewide minimum, frustrated at the failure of their electorates to pay for public services. Of course, there are opponents; one Josephine County resident warned anonymously of armed resistance if officials tried to collect more taxes. Josephine commissioners are remaining neutral on the issue. State Rep. Carl Wilson, R-Grants Pass, says he opposes the idea, because residents of Portland, Salem and the Willamette Valley shouldn't make decisions for his county. But it may come to that, and here's why: Residents of Josephine County, with the state's lowest tax rate of 59 cents per thousand,  have in effect made decisions for other Oregon residents already by refusing to support their own criminal justice system. The result is that Oregon State Police are being diverted from patrol duties in Jackson County to respond to incidents in Josephine County because the sheriff's department can't provide 24-hour coverage. The cost of that assistance comes from Oregon taxpayers. That situation cannot continue forever. If such a constitutional amendment gets to the ballot, Oregon voters outside the 13 counties would be justified in protecting their interests by requiring taxpayers in those counties to live up to theirs. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jul. 1, 2015 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » 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. calendar Connect with MailTribune.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 Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked 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. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501