Gordon Smith For Senate: "44 Times"

Producer: Chris Mottola

Running Time: 00:30

Debut Date: 07/15/2008

Ad Buy: statewide in Oregon

Cost: not available

Summary: Smith claims that Merkley voted to raise taxes 44 times while in state government.

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Script of "44 Times" (TV)

GORDON SMITH [v/o]: I'm Gordon Smith, and I approve this ad.

ANNOUNCER [v/o]: Jeff Merkley has voted for higher taxes 44 times. He even voted for the two largest tax increases in Oregon history.

(Text on screen: Statesman Journal: House Passes Income-Tax Increase; The Oregonian: Legislature Signs Off On Tax Increase; House Bill 2152-B, 8/20/03; House Bill 4079-D, 9/17/02; The Oregonian, 10/20/03)

Official records document that Merkley voted to raise the state income tax. He voted to raise taxes on seniors, higher taxes on farms and nearly everything else.

(Text on screen: State of Oregon Legislative Measures: House Bill 2152-B, 8/20/03, House Bill 4079-D, 9/17/02; Associated Press: Revenue Package Includes Tax On Over-65 Crowd, House Bill 2152-B, 8/20/03, House Bill 2792-A, 5/12/99, House Bill 2792-B, 7/1/99; Senate Bill 1083, 7/30/05, Senate Bill 595, 6/28/99, House Bill 2629, 4/7/05)

Merkley even voted four times for higher gas taxes.

(Text on screen: Statesman Journal: House Panel Endorses 6-Cent Gas Increase; Associated Press: House Approves 6-Cent Gas Tax Hike; House Bill 2082-B, 5/24/99, 5/27/99; House Bill 2082-D, 7/23/99, 7/23/99)

Jeff Merkley: wrong on taxes, bad for the economy.

(Paid For By Friends Of Gordon Smith)

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