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0 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 Medford gamer wins $6.6 million in e-sports competition ... Leveling the playing field for back-to-school supplies ... Making progress ... Medford gamer wins $6.6 million in e-sports competition ... Leveling the playing field for back-to-school supplies ... Making progress ... OREGON ELECTIONS Mannix-backed measure targets taxes Group needs to collect 112,000 valid signatures of registered Oregon voters Comment By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier MailTribune.com By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Apr. 16, 2015 at 7:36 PM By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Apr. 16, 2015 at 7:36 PM » Social News A group led by former Oregon gubernatorial candidate Kevin Mannix has launched a statewide signature drive to place a measure on the November 2016 ballot that would prohibit any state or local tax on gifts between family members. The measure would apply to gifts during life or upon death and is a continuation of an effort that began last summer but was curtailed after a dispute with the courts over language in the ballot title. "We finally got a ballot title we're satisfied with," Mannix, the president of Common Sense of Oregon, told the Daily Courier. In particular, Mannix said the group believes the language informing voters the meaning of a "yes" vote clearly explains the gist of the measure. According to the group, the ballot title states that a "yes" vote "exempts property 'gifts' within families from state/local taxes, including existing tax on estates worth $1 million or more; reduces state revenue." The measure, which is called Protect Family Giving From Taxes, would amend the Oregon Constitution. Mannix, a veteran at introducing tax reform measures in Oregon, said the group is taking its cause to the public because it got no traction in the Oregon Legislature. "We've tried to get the Legislature to address the estate tax, but they haven't listened," said Mannix, the former chairman of the Republican Party in Oregon. "We're going to the voters with a very solid measure," he added. The group needs to collect 112,000 valid signatures of registered Oregon voters. They plan to gather 150,000 signatures to make sure the threshold is met. The filing deadline is July 1, 2016. Mannix served in the Oregon Legislature from 1988 to 2000 first as a Democrat, then as a Republican, and is a former candidate for state attorney general as well as governor. In 2002 he lost to Ted Kulongoski. He has had more success as an advocate for several statewide ballot initiatives dating back to 1994, when he was instrumental in passage of the mandatory sentencing law, commonly referred to today as Measure 11.   By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier MailTribune.com By Jim Moore Grants Pass Daily Courier Posted Apr. 16, 2015 at 7:36 PM » 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 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