PUBLIC HEARING

HB 2332, 2574

TAPES 75-76, A-B, 77 A

002

Chair Butler

Calls meeting to order at 1:05 p.m.

OPENS PUBLIC HEARING FOR HOUSE BILLS 2332 AND 2574

005

Lizbeth Martin-Mahar

Gives overview of HB 2332 and HB 2574 using the Staff Measure Summaries for both bills (Exhibits 1 and 2). There is a .05% difference between the bills in tax year 2010 and beyond.  Discusses the revenue impact of both bills (Exhibits 3 and 4). Both bills will be part of the Oregon Tax Incidence Model (OTIM). Refers to the handout: Sources of Adjusted Gross Income Capital Gain Income (Exhibit 5). Discusses who will benefit from capital gains tax cut.

093

Rep. Scott Bruun

Testifies in support of HB 2574, and is the sponsor of the bill.  Reads from written testimony (Exhibit 6).

180

Rep. Galizio

Asks Rep. Bruun to define “middle class” regarding household income levels.

185

Rep. Bruun

He estimates that middle class income is probably significantly less than $100,000, probably less than $65,000 for annual household income.

195

Joe Schweinhart

General comments regarding the health of Oregon’s economy.  Testifies in support of HB 2574 because “a capital gains tax rate reduction equals economic stimulus and jobs.” Refers to AOI Legislation Position Packet (Exhibit 7).  Reads from written testimony (Exhibit 10). (Copies of testimony and slide presentation not included in members’ reference information but are included in this tape log).

380

Schweinhart

Begins slide presentation (incorporated in Exhibit 10).

Slide: Estimated Total Capital Gains Taxes

431

Schweinhart

Slide: Income Tax Returns

TAPE 76, SIDE A

053

Schweinhart

Slide: Static versus Dynamic Estimate of Capital Gains Tax Cut

074

Schweinhart

Slide: Capital Gains Tax and Venture Capital

098

Schweinhart

Slide: Where the Money Is

104

Rep. Hass

Questions and answers exchanged with Schweinhart regarding California’s capital gains tax.

127

Schweinhart

Resumes discussion of slide: Where the Money Is

161

Schweinhart

Summarizes AOI position in support of HB 2574. “Capital gains tax rate reduction would increase capital investment, increase new business formation, [increase] jobs, and increase the rate of business growth.”

181

William Conerly

Testifies in support of HB 2574 because it is a way to stimulate the Oregon economy. Discusses effect of capital gains tax rate on the economy. It is revenue neutral in the early years, and it is big revenue positive in the “out” years. Conerly cites a recent research study suggesting that in a small economy in which capital moves around there is a sustained increase in the economic growth rate by changing the investment environment. Refers to his study included in the AOI Legislation Position Packet (Exhibit 7). Discusses how a low capital gains tax rate helps companies “get ready” for venture capital.

280

Rep. Hass

Asks Conerly about his study results compared with the Oregon Tax Incidence Model (OTIM).

294

Martin-Mahar

Explains that different economic models are used in Mr. Conerly’s study and in OTIM.

338

Rep. Hass

Additional questions and discussion with Conerly. Asks Conerly if he knows whether the companies who will benefit from the capital gains tax will invest in the Oregon economy.

434

Conerly

Responds that he doesn’t have that answer, but cites statistical data that states with low capital gains rates grow faster.

TAPE 75, SIDE B

015

Rep. Komp

Asks for information from Schweinhart on which states have capital gains and their rates.

028

Schweinhart

Responds that he will provide the information requested.

033

Rep. Galizio

Asks Schweinhart how the capital gains tax cut is justified in light of other state program cuts.

045

Schweinhart

Responds that the tax cut will provide job growth for the long-term and should be considered against the short term issues

071

Eric Blackledge

Reads from written testimony (Exhibit 8) in support of HB 2574. Adds additional comments on the impact of a capital gains tax cut and state tax policies.

167

Rep. Hass

General comments about Oregon’s business climate and further discussion with Blackledge on this topic.

200

Chair Butler

Discusses Appendix C information about other state capital gains tax rates in Blackledge’s written testimony (Exhibit 8).

244

Terry Lamers

Testifies in support of HB 2574. Discusses impact of capital gains on timberland. States that the current tax system on long-term investments is unfair and cutting capital gains rates would “repair this inequity in the tax law.”  Discusses other state’s capital gains taxes that are more advantageous to business owners.

366

Bill Perry

Testifies in support of HB 2574 because of the impact of capital gains on large businesses that benefit other retail businesses such as restaurants.

396

Bill Linden

Testifies in support of HB 2574 because his organization (Oregon Metals Industries) sees economic benefits on growing Oregon’s economy and strengthening the economic base. The current capital gains tax rate is a disincentive to investment in Oregon.

TAPE 76, SIDE B

011

Tim Nesbitt

Testifies against HB 2574. Comments that if it isn’t possible to “square up” revenues lost from this bill, then the committee should wait until the state can afford it.  In response to Blackledge’s comments on the Oregon business climate, if a business is not making a profit, the business only pays a $10 minimum tax. The flip side is that when a business makes a profit, they pay the same tax rate as personal tax rates. Personal taxes are on gross income; business taxes are on their net income. Comments on whether job creation is substantiated by a lower capital gains tax rate. Asks rhetorically whether job creation would have occurred anyway. Recommends not giving away scarce revenue without gaining something concrete in return. Supports a strategic tax initiative.

098

Rep. Olson

Asks Nesbitt about tax cuts in the early 1960’s in which there were increased revenues.

102

Nesbitt

Responds that the current federal tax system has much more of an impact on economic activity regarding investments than in previous years. There was a higher marginal tax rate in effect in the early 1960’s that affected revenues.

128

Rep. Galizio

Asks about Oregon having a competitive capital gains tax rate to attract new businesses.

138

Nesbitt

Refers to a study of capital gains income done by the Oregon Center for Public Policy looking at the years1993-2001 and the relative few number of people who moved to Clark County in Washington to avoid Oregon capital gains taxes. Comments that it is fairer to tax a business after it is profitable rather than in the beginning stages of a business’ development.

170

Chair Butler

Discussion with Nesbitt about previous litigation regarding capital gains.

235

Rep. Hass

Asks if Nesbitt’s organization could support a gains tax cut if it was part of a larger tax reform package.

240

Nesbitt

Responds that the AFL-CIO would be very interested in a “package that would make sense.”

248

Chair Butler

General comments with Rep. Hass and Nesbitt about capital gains in previous legislative sessions.

283

Ralph Groener

Comments that he was a committee member on the Revenue Committee in the 1973-1975 biennium. Testifies against HB 2574 because job creation has not been proven with specific numbers. Comments that if cutting capital gains is so effective and will stimulate the economy, how many jobs have actually been created? Suggests reducing other tax breaks on a commensurate level along with the cut in the capital gains tax. 

TAPE 77, SIDE A

044

Dana Hepper

Testifies against HB 2332. Paraphrases written testimony (Exhibit 9). This bill does not address why businesses are moving from Oregon, for example, because of high health care costs and crime. Comments that cutting the capital gains tax for businesses to 5% is less than what citizens pay in income taxes (up to 9%). States that the state will not benefit from cutting the capital gains tax. Discusses

the proposed capital gains tax reduction amounts that would support various education programs that are facing budget cuts.

CLOSES PUBLIC HEARING FOR HOUSE BILLS 2332 AND 2574.

141

Chair Butler

Adjourns meeting at 3:05 p.m.

Tape Log Submitted by:

Reviewed by:

Kristi Bowman, Committee Assistant

Kim Taylor James, Committee Coordinator