CC: "'Bob Caldwell'" <bobcaldwell@news.oregonian.com>, "'Bruce
         Hammond'" <brucehammond@news.oregonian.com>, "'Steve
         Carter'" <stevencarter@news.oregonian.com>, "Beacon"
         <news@depoebaybeacon.com>, "'Rep Brown'"
         <Brown.Rep@state.or.us>, "David Reinhard"
         <davidreinhard@news.oregonian.com>,
         <rob@oregoneducation.org> 

   Date: Sat, 11 Feb 2006 05:45:51 -0800 
   From: "Ross A. Smith" <rosssmith@charter.net> 
                                                                            
Editor
        The negative poll numbers on the new Portland income tax for schools aren't that hard to figure out -- but for some reason the Oregonian has failed to mention this troubling little secret.
        The school and Multnomah County administrators broke faith with taxpayers after approval of their new county income tax three years ago, when they then thumbed their nose at voters and failed to bring effective control over what schools spend for teacher medical coverage. Could it be
possible that voters still remember being promised something for their yes vote that never really materialized, and are therefore not likely to be fooled a second time?
        Public schools need to demonstrate their intention of bringing effective control over the runaway cost of teacher compensation, including especially Gold-plated benefits that are among the highest in the entire nation. Taxpayers should not have to pay additional taxes for unnecessary
early teacher retirements in Arizona at full pay, or eyeglasses for working spouses.

Ross Smith
Lincoln City