Both houses of the Oregon Legislature have voted to abolish Oregon's tax credit for small contributions to political campaigns, effective January 1, 2014. This will make Oregon politicians even more dependent on large contributions from corporations, unions, and wealthy individuals.

The political tax credit is one of the few decent features of Oregon law pertaining to political campaigns. Oregon is one of only 2 states with no limits on campaign contributions for state and local races, now that Illinois and New Mexico have adopted limits this year. The amount raised and spent on campaigns for state and local offices in Oregon has increased from $4 million in 1996 to over $40 million in 2006.

The political tax credit gives back up to $50 per person per year (or $100 per couple filing a joint return) for any contribution to a political campaign in Oregon. It slightly levels the playing field by allowing non-wealthy persons to make political contributions without having to skip meals or miss paying the rent.

But both houses of the Oregon Legislature have passed HB 2067, which abolishes the modest Oregon political tax credit, effective January 1, 2014.