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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Holiday Guide Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend January 21, 2007 Levies, libraries, and cash, oh my! According to the editorial on Jan. 18, we have been funding the libraries since the mid-1980s with levies which were made permanent in 1997. My question is: will the county quit collecting these taxes if the libraries close? I have a feeling I know, but I would still like to hear "their" answer. -- Louise H., Medford We'll bet you don't have a good feeling about this one, Louise. The answer is that voter-approved Measure 47 and 50 folded all the taxes collected for, say, the libraries or the Southern Oregon Historical Society back into county coffers. This left the discretion of where to spend the money up to the county commissioners. But to answer your question: No, Louise, the county won't quit collecting these taxes because they used to be attached to a specific source years ago. In fact, SOHS filed a lawsuit against the county a few years ago arguing that it was still entitled to some of its tax money from a prior levy. The historical society calculated that the 1947 levy pumped $3.3 million into county coffers. Eventually, the historical society settled with the county. But the county will again cut its funding of the historical society this year, forcing layoffs. Send questions to "Since You Asked," Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by e-mail to [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Entertainment Guide Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Men's Clothing Debt Help