Children in the household: 64% College grad: 38% Property owners cannot be taxed more than $5 per $1,000 of itscurrent market value for schools. For example, $1,000 per year for a home with a market value of $200,000. (Q19) (55% good; 34% poor) Most positive (% good) $50k-$75k: 63% Most negative (% poor) $75k: 40-41% NEGATIVE FEATURES OF THE CURRENT PROPERTY TAX SYSTEM Oregon’s property tax limits are defined in the Oregon Constitution and cannot be changed by local voters. (Q14) (47% good; 46% poor) Most positive (% good) High school or less: 53% Most negative (% poor) 18-34: 54% College grad: 51% In 1997, Oregon voters approved a constitutional amendment that set a maximum permanent rate each local government can collect in property taxes based on their circumstances at the time. That rate cannot be increased by local voters. (Q20) (43% good; 50% poor) Most positive (% good) Rest of state: 51% Independent: 51% High school or less: 50% Most negative (% poor) $75k+: 60% College grad: 55% The amount a property can be taxed does not change when it is sold, regardless of how much it has increased in its market value or sales price. (Q16) (40% good; 50% poor) Most positive (% good) High school or less: 48% 18-34: 46% Male: 45% Most negative (% poor) College grad: 56% 3.5 Positive and Negative Consequences of the Current Property Tax System Next, the voters were read a series of statements about the consequences of that system on taxpayers and government services. Among the nine consequences, a majority found
Most positive Rest of state: 72% Independent: 72% 18-54: 71-72% Most negative Willamette Valley: 31% Republican: 31% 55+: 30% NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES Local tax measures often do not raise the amount of revenue approved by voters at the ballot box because of limitations in Oregon’s constitution. (Q22) (41% positive; 50% negative) Most positive High school or less: 48% Male: 47% Most negative 18-34: 58% College grad: 57% The maximum property tax rate for each local government was set in 1997 based on its needs at the time. Local voters are prohibited from increasing that rate regardless of how their circumstances have changed. (Q23) (30% positive; 66% negative) Most positive High school or less: 39% Male: 34% Most negative 18-34: 75% $100k+: 72% College grad: 70% The maximum property tax rate varies dramatically from one community to another, with some able to tax 10 times more than others. (Q24) (26% positive; 67% negative) Most positive High school or less: 36% $100k+: 33% Male: 31% Most negative 75k-$100k: 76% Some college: 74% Female: 71%
each tell me if you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with that characterization. (Randomize Q5-Q13) Response Category Strongly Agree Smwt Agree Smwt Disagree Strongly Disagree Don’t know I understand how property tax rates are set 24% 30% 20% 19% 7% I understand what property taxes pay for 44% 36% 9% 7% 4% Property tax rates are too high 38% 25% 20% 9% 8% Local governments and schools need to live within their means and stop increasing our property taxes 43% 19% 17% 18% 3% Local voters don’t have enough control over their property tax rates 37% 26% 18% 12% 7% If there are services I want, I can vote to pay more 31% 33% 12% 17% 7% Some property owners are not paying their fair share of taxes 27% 22% 17% 12% 22% Property taxes pay for public services that are important to me 48% 31% 10% 7% 4% Overall the property tax system in Oregon is working pretty well 11% 41% 24% 19% 5% SUPPORT FOR CURRENT PROPERTY TAX SYSTEM In Oregon, the primary funding source for city and county governments is property tax. If you own a home or other property, you pay property tax. Property tax is also a major source of revenue for public schools. I’m going to read you statements about how the property tax system works in Oregon. For each tell me if you feel that is a very good, good, poor, or very poor aspect of how property taxes are paid in Oregon. (Randomize Q14-Q20) Response Category Very Good Good Poor Very Poor Don’t know Oregon’s property tax limits are defined in the Oregon Constitution and cannot be changed by local voters. 16% 31% 30% 16% 7% Without local voter approval, property taxes cannot increase more than 3% per year. 31% 48% 12% 6% 4% The amount a property can be taxed does not change when it is sold, regardless of how much it has increased in its market value or sales price. 9% 31% 34% 16% 10%
Some people have ideas for changing how property taxes work in Oregon. For each of the following, please tell me if you would strongly support, somewhat support, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose the proposal. (Randomize Q31-34) Response Category Strong Support Smwt Support Smwt Oppose Strong Oppose Don’t know Allow local voters to extend maximum timeframe of voter-approved temporary taxes from 5 years to 10 years. 14% 28% 24% 28% 6% Reset a property’s taxable value to its sales price when it is sold. 27% 37% 15% 14% 7% Allow temporary taxes for local services to exceed statewide limitations, when approved by voters. 25% 39% 15% 18% 4% Ensure all property owners pay their share of the temporary taxes approved by local voters for services. 47% 37% 6% 5% 5% (Randomize Q35-38) Response Category Strong Support Smwt Support Smwt Oppose Strong Oppose Don’t know Allow local voters to increase the amount an individual property can be taxed above the $5 per $1,000 limit for schools, with the money staying in the local school district. 30% 37% 13% 17% 3% Allow local governments and schools to increase their maximum allowable tax rates, which were set in 1997, if approved by a majority of voters. 30% 39% 11% 17% 3% Amend the Oregon constitution to guarantee that all properties with similar market values are taxed at similar rates. 44% 35% 8% 9% 4% Allow elected school boards to increase the amount an individual property can be taxed above the $5 per $1,000 limit for schools, with the money staying in the local school district. 14% 23% 19% 41% 4% DEMOGRAPHICS These last few questions are for statistical purposes only.