New Oregon business tax plan faces opposition from GOP

(AP) — Oregon lawmakers rolled out a broad plan to overhaul the state's corporate tax system Tuesday that could net anywhere between $288 million and $3 billion in extra funds for the cash-strapped state over the next two years.

Various exemptions for certain business dealings, such as donations to nonprofits and transactions with government or among "closely related business entities," were also included to help soften the impact of higher consumer prices, which state revenue officials say would be inevitable.

Oregonians slammed the doors shut on Measure 97 and they want to have a conversation not on a hidden sales tax, but on reining in out-of-control government spending, Senate Republican Leader Ted Ferrioli said in a statement.

Hass also stressed that any tax revenue plan is off the table without inclusion of cuts in government costs, such as those recently ordered by Democratic Gov. Kate Brown and proposed by a bipartisan group of experienced lawmakers.

Democrats and labor unions have been squaring off with Republicans and businesses over whether Oregon's budget woes stem from corporations not paying their fair share or runaway government spending that's reaching unsustainable levels.