Regarding Paul Nys’ March 3 letter, “Keep sales-tax exemption,” I have heard enough of Oregon residents whining about having to pay sales tax in Washington. I was born and raised in Portland. I moved to Vancouver in 1974 because I worked for International Paper at the Chelatchie Prairie mill. I was later transferred to Longview. In the late 1970s, the idea was raised to take $25 out of the checks of Oregon residents who worked in Washington (Longview) to provide infrastructure. The thought wasn’t received well.
In 1980, I accepted a position in Portland while I still lived in Vancouver and until I retired in 2008 I had to pay the 9 percent Oregon income tax. Taxation without representation. And, yes, I did have the choice to move back to Oregon but I decided to stay in Vancouver. So Nys can drive to anywhere he wants on Oregon’s Highway 30 to save himself from the Washington sales tax. Clark County is among the highest county revenue sources for the state of Oregon.
Rik Miller
Vancouver
