Idaho, Montana court Oregon business over taxes

Oregonians voted in January to extract an additional $733 million a year in new taxes from business and high-earning individuals. The election results, and the bruising campaign that preceded them, have some influential voices in Oregon's business class simmering with discontent. In response, states including Idaho, Montana and Ohio are on the recruiting offensive, taking dead aim at Oregon businesses. They could well find a receptive audience. Conservatives and moderates alike bemoan the message sent by the tax hikes. "Oregon's economy is already on the wrong side of the tracks," said Roy Tucker, managing partner of the Perkins Coie law firm in Portland. "The last thing we need is one more reason for entrepreneurs to decide not to do business here." The bitter tone of the debate must be music to the ears of Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter, who issued a pugnacious open letter earlier this month inviting Oregon businesses to flee the state. Otter said Oregon political leaders made maintaining government programs a priority over the health of the economy. Montana, Ohio, Chicago and, most recently, Utah, have joined the parade of recruiters trying to poach Oregon businesses...read more