Coos Bay Senator says voters need to do research; Senior Center names names; and E-Waste piling up on roadsides despite free recycling.

Oregonians urged to get the facts on state income tax hikes

Opponents to a pair of tax hikes… one on higher income Oregonians, the other increasing the corporate minimum tax from ten to $150 a year… are working to force a vote on the two issues. State Senator Joanne Verger from Coos Bay says she wants voters to make their decisions based on fact and not speculation.
201 – “What I’m eager for is that Oregonians to have all of the information and have it right. Because there’s a lot of misinformation out there and I just don’t think it’s right for Oregonians to make policy decisions of any kind based on misinformation.”

The two issues were finalized by lawmakers in the final days of the recent Legislative Session. It’s estimated they’ll generate $733-million over the next two years for the state general fund… just over half of which goes to schools. If upheld by voters it would mean incremental increases on taxable incomes above $125-thousand a year for individuals. One estimate put the average impact ranging from $38 to $165 for 2009.

Florence Mayor Phil Brubaker unveiled a list of ‘naming donors’ for the new senior center earlier this week. Fund raising for the local share of construction cash exceeded expectations. Much of the success came from a list of donors that accounted for 80 of the $129-thousand raised over the past three weeks. Longtime resident Harold Nusbaum (NOOSE-bomb) donated $20-thousand and will have the Alzheimer’s Hospitality Suite named for him. Richard Jarrett told Brubaker that watercolor classes at the current center have literally saved his life. The billiards-TV room will carry his name in exchange for a $10-thousand donation. Greg and Wendy Barnes donated the same amount and will name the card room. Siuslaw Bank issued a $10-thousand challenge… The Florence Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs each came up with five grand and the three organizations will share the name the dining room. The final large scale donor… Oregon Fast Net… kicked in with $10-thousand will name the kitchen.

Since January of this year, Lane County residents have been able to get rid of old televisions, computers and monitors for free. Despite that, there’s been an increase in the amount of old electronic gear dumped along roadways. Nuisance Abatement Specialist Carolyn Young says it’s dramatically worse for those materials to be scattered on roadsides as they contain lead and other hazards She’s puzzled by the increased dumping when residents can drop them off at a recycling center for free. You can drop off up to seven covered electronic devices at any one time at the Florence solid waste transfer site or any of more than a dozen locations around Lane County.

TAKING A LOOK AT COAST RADIO SPORTS:

Youth Baseball:

Despite losing 9-1 yesterday to Western Washington, the South Coast Under-14 Babe Ruth Allstars are still in contention to make the semi finals in the Northwest Regional playoffs. South Coast will face Montana this afternoon in their final game of pool play. A victory by the coasters would advance them to tomorrow’s Semis in Moscow, Idaho.

Northwest League Baseball:

The Tri-City Dust Devils did all their offensive work in the second inning, batting through the order and scoring six runs. The Devils then went to work defensively holding the Ems to only four runs through the rest of the game coming out on top 6-4 last night in Eugene. The two teams wrap up their five game series tonight at Civic Stadium. The Ems head out on the road tomorrow where they’ll face the Everett Aqua-Sox in the first of three.