Oregon taxpayers could receive a record-shattering $1.4 billion “kicker” tax rebate next year, state economists told lawmakers during a revenue forecast in Salem on Wednesday morning.
But Democratic leaders immediately suggested that at least some of the windfall be used to help hedge against a future economic downturn and expand government programs rather than be directed back to taxpayers. House Speaker Tina Kotek named paying down the state’s public employee pension debt as one avenue to build a brighter future for Oregon.
