With one hand, Oregon Democrats are scrambling to save a single industry —professional basketball in Portland — with special tax treatment, (“Moda Center funding bill introduced in Salem with few specifics, broad support from top Democrats,” Feb. 11).
With the other hand, they would deny key industrial sectors a much-needed accelerated equipment tax depreciation schedule that’s now part the federal tax code, (“Democrats’ bill to add $300M to Oregon’s budget by ending 3 Trump tax breaks advances over Republican opposition,” Feb. 9).
It is well known that AI computer equipment has a short useful life due to rapid technology advances. Other industries with short equipment lifecycles would also benefit from the new federal depreciation schedule.
Gov. Tina Kotek herself has stated she wants to make AI a cornerstone technology in Oregon’s future. Oregonians need good jobs to pay for those Trail Blazer tickets. I should remind the governor and the Democrats who run Oregon’s Legislature that the Blazers are not the only business than can choose to move.
Michael McTague, Portland