The threat of legislation banning Multnomah County from collecting the Preschool for All tax died June 27 with the end of the legislative session. The argument between Gov. Tina Kotek and Multnomah County Chair Jessica Vega Pederson over the tax’s future? That’s just starting (“Save the Whales,” WW, June 25). Kotek wants the tax scaled back, and the universal preschool initiative folded into existing state programs. Otherwise, she warns, one local measure could erode the state’s tax base. Vega Pederson says that’s a betrayal of the will of the voters to please some fat cats. Judging from the online discourse, finding a middle ground will be difficult. Here’s what our readers had to say:
ECP, via Bluesky: “The other day I thought, ‘Hmm, I haven’t heard anything about Tina Kotek lately,’ and it turns out that she’s been apparently spending her time trying to punish children because rich people want more money.”
Seth Caddy, via Bluesky: “Kotek’s eagerness to cater to the wealthy who don’t want to pay their fair share is a liability to Oregon…