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 April 21, 2020      

Boomer Wright Objects Decision to Enact New CAT Tax

Tourism hardest hit during COVID-19 crisis

REEDSPORT, OR. – Oregon House Candidate Duane "Boomer" Wright has called for an indefinite postponement of the new 2019 Commercial Activities Tax (CAT). First-quarter payments of this new sales tax on businesses are due April 30, but with the COVID-19 crisis, an economic downturn is likely. Last month, Governor Brown ordered a series of executive orders that shut down multiple aspects of Oregon Businesses. Forcing Oregon employers to furlough and layoff Oregon workers by the thousands. Nearly 300,000 Oregonians filed initial unemployment claims since mid-March, now is the time to postpone the CAT tax.  Governor Brown is ensuring further pain and suffering by continuing forward with the new CAT tax.

"Governor Brown has failed the Oregon Coast by keeping the costly tax on sales in place,” said Boomer. “I have spoken with over 100 businesses operating in Oregon before and during this crisis. I believe asking employers to pay the new CAT tax is wrong right now. Before this crisis, I was already hearing business owners' concerns about the new tax on sales. Now I fear the businesses that are still open will have to choose to pay the tax or layoff more workers."

With the CARES Act Paycheck Protection Program for Small Business funding depleted, as of April 13, Oregon has had 9,508 approved small business loans and received $2,427,776,445, but there are still thousands of small businesses that have yet to receive the help they need. Also, many coastal businesses' success is connected to tourism, which has been reported to be one of the hardest-hit industries. A report from the Yachats News states that Lincoln County is the hardest hit in the state per capita, citing the Oregon Employment Department unemployment claims. Over half of those claims are from hospitality and retail business, according to the agency's numbers.

"There is no business course to prepare for a government-mandated shutdown, "said Boomer. "Too many owners are closing their doors, and unemployment continues to rise. On behalf of the hard-working communities on the Oregon Coast, I urge the Governor to use common sense, reverse her decision, and suspend the CAT tax for 2020. “ 

Boomer resides in Reedsport with his wife, Susan, who is a registered nurse. Boomer was a teacher, principal, and superintendent and served as the general manager of Sea Lion Caves north of Florence. House District 9 encompasses the communities of Coos Bay, North Bend, Lakeside, Reedsport, Dunes City, Florence, Mapleton, Triangle Lake, and Yachats.

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