by DCG
Funny, when Gov. Kate Brown was running for re-election this year, she repeatedly declined to answer direct questions about tax policy (seeThe Oregonian). She also declined to say how much additional revenue the state would need.
Voters re-elected her knowing that they would have to wait until late this year for the governor to release her budget plan and learn of specific plans to raise revenue. (Read about her proposed budget here, which includes MILLIONS for challenging President Trump’s policies and almost $3 MILLION for prepaid Oregon ballots so voters won’t have to buy stamps.)
That plan will come with a HEFTY price tag for Oregonians. And an English major has been hired to make sure you understand the ramifications of new tax policies…
The Oregonian reports that the governor has hired a new staffer to work on policy to develop billions of dollars in tax and fee increases. From their report:
“Christian Gaston, who was the spokesman for Brown’s 2018 re-election campaign, is taking on a new role as the governor’s revenue policy adviser. Gaston worked for former Gov. John Kitzhaber at the end of his third term and beginning of his fourth term.
Gaston’s annual salary is $97,000, according to the governor’s office.
Gaston started his career as a reporter and editor at the Forest Grove News Times, then worked approximately 18 months for The Oregonian/OregonLive as a Legislature and state politics reporter. Gaston left The Oregonian/OregonLive to work on policy research for Kitzhaber’s 2014 re-election campaign and briefly worked as a communications adviser for Kitzhaber’s administration until the Democrat resigned in February 2015.
Gaston studied English at Portland State University, according to a biography posted online during his time as Multnomah County Chair Deb Kafoury’s policy and research director. He took that job in 2015 after working for Kitzhaber.”
Read the whole story here.
I find it interesting that an English major is now a tax policy expert. But maybe that background will be helpful in determining the language necessary to “craft” a bill/budget that voters will accept.
Enjoy that tax increase Oregon.