This was a bit of a complicated saga, but the Oregonian did a good job describing it. Here is there article:
The Oregonian. Michelle Cole. Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Businesses scored a victory in the Oregon House Monday after an overwhelming majority voted to allow companies to take accelerated tax breaks on new equipment.
The 41-19 vote and nearly two hours of parliamentary maneuvers marked a defining point for the House, which for the first time in history is evenly split between 30 Republicans and 30 Democrats.
The tax breaks will mean that businesses will save about $93 million and state government will have that much less to spend on schools, prisons and social services in the next two years. But supporters argued the breaks are necessary to get Oregon’s economy back on track.
Eleven Democrats, including co-Speaker Arnie Roblan, sided with all 30 Republicans on the vote. Afterward, Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber said it was a “pretty healthy” margin and urged the Senate to take quick action on the bill, which also includes 2010 deductions for parents and college students. Read more.
