The Oregon Health Authority asked Gov. Kate Brown to hike taxes on beer and wine but she balked, saying it would be too hard a lift. But the issue is likely to come up again in the legislative session next year.
Brown did not ask for a tax on beer or wine in her budget but it does seek a 5 percent increase in the liquor markup -- now at 104 percent -- and a plan to double alcohol licensing fees.
The governor's budget includes $722 million in revenues -- including raising the tobacco tax and increasing taxes on hospitals and insurers -- to plug the $830 million funding gap in Medicaid and ensure health care has stable funding over the next six years.
Nov 28, 2018
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OREGON GOV. KATE BROWN IN THE LIVING ROOM OF MAHONIA HALL, THE GOVERNOR’S OFFICIAL RESIDENCE IN SALEM./JULIE SABATIER/OPB
The two main candidates in the governor’s race largely agree but still blast each other's policies.
Sep 19, 2018
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Planned Parenthood is among the groups that oppose an anti-abortion measure that will be on the ballot in Oregon in November. (Sarah Mirk/Creative Commons)