Activists Launch KicktheKicker.Org

Political activists Sal Peralta and Travis Diskin have launched a web site, corporatekicker.org, with the intention of eliminating the corporate kicker in Oregon by 2011.

Sal Peralta issued the following statements...

"Most Oregonians see the wisdom in saving for a rainy day. Most businesses believe in the need for government to help deliver on services including roads, water, and education from kindergarten through college."

"We are putting forward an Amendment to remove the corporate kicker from Oregon's constitution as an enabling measure to show the legislature that there is a mandate in this state to eliminate the corporate kicker."

"86 percent of the value of the corporate kicker has gone to less than 1/10th of 1 percent of corporations operating in Oregon. We propose that the legislature keep some of that money here in Oregon and spend it on priorities that are not currently being met, such as a rainy day fund, higher education, or services to seniors and the disabled."

"We have had productive conversations with members on leadership of both political parties, and Oregon's small business and faith communities. We are confident that some of the larger businesses and labor organizations will also see the wisdom in prodding the legislature into action."