Document text
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 Home News Latest Stories Reading for sport builds mental muscles State will investigate ticket dismissals Alleged rapist said to have stalked victim after crimes Details sought about RV fire outside Gold Hill Made in the Shade Crime, Courts and Emergency Services State will investigate ticket dismissals Alleged rapist said to have stalked victim after crimes Details sought about RV fire outside Gold Hill Woman sentenced in stabbing case Rogue River man dies in Wednesday car crash Politics and Elections Ballots on Jackson County marijuana tax go out Friday Brown's inauguration brings hope to local lawmakers Kate Brown sworn in as Oregon's 38th governor Gov. Kitzhaber steps down, federal investigation begins Gov. Kitzhaber announces resignation Education Reading for sport builds mental muscles AHS principal up for national award Today is exclusion day for kids who don't have required vaccines A question of punishment Logos to receive a slice of Wes Howard Memorial Sports Park Environment Made in the Shade Controlled burn planned for Ashland watershed on Friday Coho salmon road trip Mt. Ashland Ski Area celebrates snow Company fined for illegally dumping asbestos in White City State News Psychic gets 8 years for con of timber heir Economists project 'kicker' rebates Moose spur tough decisions for Washington wildlife officials Brown's inauguration brings hope to local lawmakers Outgoing Gov. Kitzhaber commutes sentence Nation - World Obituaries Matthew Olin Huff Ruby D. Perkins Arthur �Art� S. Backlund Death Notices Lynn Ann Latham McCoy Lane Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Mars One attracts science fiction geeks and people who hate society This $1 million Mercedes is like an armored private jet for the road Sports Latest Stories Blazers acquire Afflalo in five-player deal Blazers grieve for popular Kersey Mariota becomes feature attraction at NFL combine Beavers knock off No. 19 Cowboys Goosen, Singh among leaders at Riviera Varsity 541 College Sports Beavers knock off No. 19 Cowboys Raiders to face No. 16 Knights, No. 11 Cavs Young scores 23, Oregon holds off Colorado Duke holds on for OT win Student of the Game Pro Sports Blazers acquire Afflalo in five-player deal Blazers grieve for popular Kersey Mariota becomes feature attraction at NFL combine Goosen, Singh among leaders at Riviera Beloved Blazer Kersey, 52, dies Community Sports Business Latest Stories Dockworkers dispute hits home Medford pharmacy sees steady growth Ride & Drive: 2015 Kia Soul EV Blog: Alaska Airline, brimming with confidence, adding six extended-range Boeing 737s by 2016 Josephine County to approve Southern Oregon business recruiting contract Real Estate News Housing prices climb 9 percent in Jackson County Big plans on the Butte Homes for the long haul New owners of Medford Center promise a hands-on approach: People In Business People in Business Transportation Medford airport flies past January record The heart of Brammo will remain Agriculture 1-800-Flowers dumps Harry & David execs Nine companies pitch investment opportunities in Medford Darigold to shutter Medford plant, putting 29 out of work Opinion Latest Antionette Kerr: Let’s honor Anthony and the rights of all women Kent Bush: Mars One is more reality television than rocket launch Male staffers take lead in Clinton run Feb. 19: Letters to the editor Congress rightly should engage in war debate Editorials Our view: Will Brown reach out to rural Oregon? Our view: Expulsions hurt students, district, community Our View: Independent Party of Oregon faces obstacles Our View: A sad end to a historic career Our View: Time to end the vaccine exemption Letters to the Editor Feb. 19: Letters to the editor Letters to the editor, Feb. 18 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 17 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 16 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 15 Columns Kent Bush: Mars One is more reality television than rocket launch Male staffers take lead in Clinton run Congress rightly should engage in war debate Islamic State's atrocities demand ... what? Michael Gerson: A call for 'patient pluralism' Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Weed killers should not be sprayed on streams, homes Guest Opinion: Understanding Wes Cooley Guest Opinion: Smokers: Quit before this happens to you Guest Opinion: Our public school system is a stew pot of clashing ingredients Guest Opinion: How long will we look the other way? Lifestyle Latest stories Religion News: Pope makes surprise shantytown visit Tammy Kelly: Comfort food makes cold weather better Ride & Drive: 2015 Kia Soul EV Community blog: Citrus fruits shine in foods fresh and preserved Marketta Gregory: The promise of Lent Food Tammy Kelly: Comfort food makes cold weather better Community blog: Citrus fruits shine in foods fresh and preserved Season Stepp: Cooking Chinese food should not intimidate you Page H. Onorato: Food items help define the South There's a whole universe of chili outside Texas Home and Garden Garden Cameos: Winter is the time to prune How to install energy-efficient windows the right way Dear Monty: Nine downsizing tips for seniors Carol Link: Prime time for pruning blueberries approaches Home Help: DIY home upkeep projects for every season Health Runners’ Corner: Helpful winter running hints Today is exclusion day for kids who don't have required vaccines Community blog: Your Brain on Love Health Watch: The rise of wearable fitness tech Community blog: Are You Losing or Gaining on Your Investment in Health? Hiking Biking Faith Religion News: Pope makes surprise shantytown visit Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 13 RELIGION BRIEFS, Feb. 6 Religion News: Church of England consecrates first female bishop Religion briefs Milestones and Achievements New arrivals: Sunday, Feb. 8 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories OSF kicks off its 2015 season SOU presents 'The Glass Menagerie' Third Fridays showcases local artists The music that made Paris famous Blues Jam at The Little Brown Jug Theater OSF kicks off its 2015 season SOU presents 'The Glass Menagerie' Le Cirque presents 'City Walk' 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' 'Dames at Sea' opens at Oregon Cabaret Theatre Music The music that made Paris famous Blues Jam at The Little Brown Jug Southern Oregon Jazz Orchestra 'Broadway's Next Hit Musical' Live Music in Local Clubs Community Events Third Fridays showcases local artists Southern Oregon Rod and Custom Show Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jacksonville celebrates Chinese New Year Comedian Susan Westenhoefer pulls no punches Dining The zwickels shall flow Soo Rah Korean Cuisine Stylish shareables are the feature at Brickroom Sandwiches and burgers are hits at The Rogue Chef The Vine offers a taste of Italy Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW State Senate votes to dissolve Cover Oregon ... Get Up & Go: Friday, Feb. 20 ... Odd bugs, cool birds highlight outdoor show ... State Senate votes to dissolve Cover Oregon ... Get Up & Go: Friday, Feb. 20 ... Odd bugs, cool birds highlight outdoor show ... GUEST OPINION Guest Opinion: Measure 91 will snuff out local tax measures Comment By Laird Funk MailTribune.com By Laird Funk Posted Oct. 5, 2014 @ 2:00 am By Laird Funk Posted Oct. 5, 2014 @ 2:00 am » Social News “City councils discover gold on marijuana bushes!” That could be a headline for the new Oregon gold rush playing out in city council chambers throughout the state. They aren’t talking about shaking the bushes and holding their pockets open; what they are talking about is shaking (down) anyone who wants to participate in the marijuana market. And they don’t refer to shaking down but to the more acceptable levying of a (sin) tax on those who would engage in the marijuana market. Who could fault such far-seeing council members who heard Measure 91 would not allow them to tax marijuana and jumped up to levy marijuana taxes before passage, beating some mythical “deadline” and being safely grandfathered in. The theory seems to be that until Measure 91 passes, there is no law prohibiting them from taxing marijuana, and therefore they can. Here is the proposed tax prohibition that spurred the rush: Section 42. State has exclusive right to tax marijuana. No county or city of this state shall impose any fee or tax, … in connection with … marijuana items. City attorneys around the state testify that the gate is open for taxation until Measure 91 passes and do so after hopefully having read the measure. There is no shortage of police agencies forecasting trouble with legal marijuana and encouraging taxes for the public good, both to raise cash and to discourage use. City councils have merely to look north to Washington to note that the high taxes there do seem to somehow lessen legal use, as does the limited legal supply. There can’t be anything wrong with that, can there? Cities can strike a stern pose of disapproval, fill their coffers and assume a tough political “So sue us!” stance ( hoping that really doesn’t happen). There is no denying that there are many public needs that could be better funded, and Measure 91 recognizes that. There are taxing provisions that detail not only the tax rates for various marijuana items, but also provide statutory directives as to how those tax revenues shall be distributed. Taxes would be levied on dried marijuana flowers at a rate of $35 an ounce, marijuana leaves at a rate of $10 an ounce and marijuana plants starting at $5 a plant. Measure 91 stipulates that of the tax proceeds, 40 percent would go to the Common School Fund; 20 percent to state mental health, alcohol and drug services; 15 percent to the Oregon State Police; 10 percent to cities for law enforcement; and 10 percent to counties for law enforcement. The creators of Measure 91 understood that there may be a possible burden on state agencies and local governments and provided assistance for relieving those burdens. Some argue that those rates are too low, and more money could be raised If rates were increased. Many cities see the situation as begging for them to step in and raise taxes on their own to meet whatever criteria they believe constitutes a sufficiency. Professing needs beyond law enforcement helps many cities readily accept arguments from opponents of legalization that portray social negatives and societal disruption as the inevitable result of legalization and look for local taxes to solve whatever problems arise. On the face of it, the answer to the question of local taxing ability appears to have been decided by the cities as falling in their favor. After all, if the city attorneys say its OK and not to worry about Section 42 because the cities will have acted prior to Measure 91 possibly taking effect, what could be the problem? The state will get taxes, locals will get taxes and all will live happily ever after. Well, while Section 42 is found a long way into Measure 91’s wording, items found in the other 44 sections should have interested anyone proposing local taxes who professed to have read Measure 91. For example, there is Section 58 in edited form below: Section 58. Marijuana laws supersede and repeal inconsistent charters and ordinances. Sections 3 to 70 of this Act … shall fully replace and supersede … all … local ordinances inconsistent with it. Such … ordinances are …repealed. Oh! Like those local taxing measures we have been discussing? You mean Measure 91 kills them? You mean all that gold isn’t going to be real? Yes, the promise of gold from local taxes on marijuana is the iron pyrite of this gold rush. Fools gold! As in “Fools rush in!” I am sorry, cities, but that grandfather you were depending on looks dead! Laird Funk of Williams was the chief petitioner for the first Oregon marijuana legalization measure in 1986. By Laird Funk MailTribune.com By Laird Funk Posted Oct. 5, 2014 @ 2:00 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. 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 Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs 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