Friday, December 04, 2009
Editorial: Bill Sizemore: Fade Away
The Hillsboro Argus: Every once in a while, someone comes along, does their duty - then stays too long. Bill Sizemore is that kind of guy. He heated up the initiative process leaving a trail of questionable legislation in its wake. Many believed he served in their best interest. He also served himself. Witness his legal track record.
Axing taxes and limiting government is a good fight. But it was pushed to the limit. Businessmen Dick Wendt and Loren Parks funded Sizemore's juggernaut for a political agenda. They set up an initiative boiler room. As many as nine government-baiting, tax-killing measures landed on Oregon ballots at any given time. One judge called the whole process "a sham corporation."
That nonprofit organization was called the American Tax Research Foundation. Hundreds of thousands of dollars were funneled through it. Sizemore was at its head. The line between political payout and personal income blurred at times.
Over the last couple of years he's fought a nasty battle with the Oregon Education Association, among others - and lost. He's been held in contempt of court and ordered to limit political use of tax-exempt organizations. For that, a judge ruled he engaged in racketeering.
Now he's back on the media stage. He gave running for Oregon governor a shot once and lost by a two-to-one margin. Never down, he's decided to throw his hat in the ring again.
But something else is happening on the way to the political arena. The state attorney general says Sizemore hasn't filed or paid income taxes in the past three years. This, after an Oregon Tax Amnesty program just expired. He could have filed without serious consequences. Sizemore says he paid estimated taxes for two of the three years in question. He doesn't say how much. He filed no forms. He argues the unions, who have some huge civil judgments against him, could use the tax returns to bring additional litigation.
We agree with the basic principal of reducing taxes, limiting government and holding a line on public employee benefits. Last time they were in session, our Oregon Legislature went for the gold. Measures 66 and 67 on your ballot in January are an attempt at control. But Sizemore, who has fought big government and unions in the past, has gained too much baggage to defend more than his reputation.
Now he has indictments against him for tax evasion. Filing your yearly income tax is a legal responsibility. Spare us the rhetoric, Bill. "This is nothing but a malicious prosecution by a political attorney general who's in the pocket of the unions." Excuse us. The attorney general filed his taxes.
This is hardly a political backdrop for a gubernatorial run. At this point, the Republican Party does not need Bill Sizemore. He should graciously just fade away.
To read more, click here.
Comments
