Oregon Lawmakers Consider Ending Preschool Program That Taxes the Rich to Educate the Poor

The Multnomah County Chair has expressed outrage at Oregon lawmakers considering scrapping the Preschool for All program.

Legislation Will Prohibit Taxing High-Income Earners

Members of the Senate Finance and Revenue Committee met yesterday to discuss proposed legislation that will prohibit taxing high-income earners who currently fund the project.

Addressing the lawmakers at yesterday’s meeting, Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson described the legislation as ‘unprecedented, unfair, and undemocratic.’ Lawmakers are considering shutting down the program by June 2027.

Governor Concerned That Program Is Forcing Exodus by the Affluent

In an article published by Daily Tidings earlier this month, Governor Tina Kotek says the program could be forcing high-income earners to leave the Portland area.

In a letter to the Multnomah County Chair, the Governor points out that county tax revenue from high-income taxpayers decreased by nearly $55 million between 2021 and 2024. She believed the Preschool for All program could be the reason for the exodus.

Taxation aims to provide 11,000 no-cost preschool positions by 2030. High-income earners exceeding $250,000  individually or $400,000 jointly, pay 3% of their income.

However, with only a few days left before the end of the current legislative session, it seems unlikely that the proposed, legislation will be ratified.