Tuesday, November 28, 2017

ACTION: STOP THE TRUMP TAX SCAM

From Indivisible Oregon...

**CALL TO ACTION**
Tuesday, November 28, 2017
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STOP THE TRUMP TAX SCAM, A DISASTER FOR OREGONIANS!
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#TrumpTaxScam
#NotOnePenny
#WhenWeFightWeWin

For many days, we have explained why the Trump Tax Scam is terrible. It will also disproportionately harm Oregonians. And, the bills’ budget-busting deficit will automatically eliminate funding for essential programs under the Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) statute.

Say goodbye to:

• The state and local tax deduction: 46% of Oregonians (vs. 30% nationally) itemize their deductions
• Popular “green tax breaks” for electric vehicles and wind energy

Oregon’s budget will be upended when PAYGO cuts off federal funding for "non-defense discretionary" programs:

• Rural areas will suffer when funding for farm price-supports, conservation efforts on private lands, and agricultural export programs is eliminated.
• Block grants for vocational rehabilitation, affordable housing, social services like  foster care, Meals on Wheels, elder abuse prevention, programs for crime victims and many other programs will stop.
• Mineral leasing revenue-sharing programs will end, eliminating Oregon’s 50% share of the lease revenue from its federal lands.
• “Build America Bonds,” lowering state and local borrowing costs, will be defunded.

The Trump Tax Scam is a budget-buster for federal and state budgets and the finances of individual Oregonians, who will see their taxes increase and vital services eliminated. STOP IT NOW!

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**ACTION 1: CALL CONSTITUENTS IN SWING STATES (FROM HOME OR ANYWHERE)**

Call progressive constituents in critical swing states – Alaska, Arizona, and West Virginia – and urge them to call their Senators to vote NO on the Tax Scam.

The Indivisible Guide makes it easy with their calling tool: https://www.trumptaxscam.org/calls-to-kill-the-tax-scam/

Better yet: invite visiting family/friends to join you and make calls together! Count how many calls you can make and cheer each other on!

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**ACTION 2: JOIN US FOR A CALLING PARTY TOMORROW**

If you’re in the Portland area, join Indivisible Oregon volunteers in calling swing state constituents, and urge them to call their senators to vote NO on the tax scam.  We’ll use this tool: https://www.trumptaxscam.org/calls-to-kill-the-tax-scam/

If you’ve never made these types of calls before, this a nice chance to try with a friendly group!

Wed, Nov 29th
12noon-2pm
TaborSpace ArtSpace, 5441 SE Belmont
*IMPORTANT: Bring a charged laptop or tablet and a cell phone*

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**ACTION 3: CALL YOUR SENATORS **
(Leave a message if you can’t get through.)

SAMPLE SCRIPT
“My name is [--] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code]. I am calling about the Trump/GOP Tax Scam. Besides giving tax breaks mainly to the rich, the plan’s budget-busting deficit will trigger automatic program cuts that will hurt every Oregonian.  Please use every available procedural tool to stop this bill. Thank you."

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**ACTION 4: SHARE WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY**
Share this post with friends and family, especially those in these key states with GOP senators who have expressed concerns about the bill – Arizona (Flake and McCain), Maine (Collins), Alaska (Murkowski), Tennessee (Corker), Wisconsin (Johnson), Oklahoma (Lankford). Help them call their Members of Congress

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**PHONE NUMBERS**

SENATOR MERKLEY
Portland: (503) 326-3386, DC: (202) 224-3753
Salem: (503) 362-8102, Eugene: (541) 465-6750
Medford: (541) 608-9102, Bend: (541) 318-1298
Pendleton: (541) 278-1129

SENATOR WYDEN
Portland: (503) 326-7525, DC: (202) 224-5244
Salem: (503) 589-4555, Eugene: (541) 431-0229
Medford: (541) 858-5122, Bend: (541) 330-9142
La Grande: (541) 960-7691

** After you call, please comment below and briefly share your experience!**