The Republicans' $1.5 trillion federal tax reform package calls for eliminating a benefit that will end up hitting Oregon and a handful of other states with high taxes particularly hard.

So hard, in fact, 12 of the 13 Republicans who voted against the House version were from the high-tax states of California, New York and New Jersey. One Republican congressman from California recently blasted the bill, saying it would disenfranchise his constituents.

U.S. Rep. Greg Walden, R-Oregon

Yet Rep. Greg Walden, Oregon's only Republican in Congress and a powerful figure in the House, hasn't said a word about the move to dump state and local tax deductions. The nine-term congressman voted for the House plan, which includes eliminating the deduction that's been around since the inception of the federal income tax. Without it, some 670,000 Oregonians could end up with higher tax bills.

Walden won't publicly share what he thinks about eliminating the state and local deductions. Or, for that matter, plans to nix other tax benefits on which vulnerable Oregonians rely, such as the medical expense interest deduction, the veteran mortgage bonds and other affordable housing bonds.

To be fair, the tax plan isn't all bad. The package calls for reducing the number of tax brackets for individuals' personal income and increasing the standard deduction. Those changes could provide Oregon residents with a few hundred dollars in savings on their federal taxes, according to a preliminary analysis by the state.

Businesses could also benefit from proposals to lower corporate tax rates and potential changes for privately held companies.

But as The Oregonian/OregonLive's Mike Rogoway has reported, a good number of Oregonians deduct their state and local taxes from their federal tax bill. That can soften the blow for residents in a state with one of the nation's highest income tax rates, which maxes out at 9.9 percent.

State data shows about 40 percent of Oregonians claimed those deductions on their federal taxes in 2015. Without the benefit, those taxpayers could end up paying an average of $2,800 more per household, according to an analysis the Oregon Legislative Revenue Office conducted at the request of The Oregonian/OregonLive.

The proposal could sting earners at both ends of the spectrum. Rogoway reported that without the deduction, the highest-paid Oregonians could be walloped with increases in the tens of thousands of dollars. But households making less than $75,000 who claim the deduction also could face increases of $1,200 on average. Tax experts also warn that while the tax hit might not be as hard for some families, repealing the deductions could make it more difficult for those states to collect the money needed to pay for schools, police and social services.

Walden failed to respond to numerous interview requests from Rogoway to discuss whether the changes could hurt Oregonians.

House Speaker Paul Ryan announced early last week that Walden would serve on the committee tasked with resolving the differences between the varying reforms outlined in the House and Senate plans. But by Thursday, Walden was off the committee.

It remains unclear why. Walden's not talking about that, either. Ultimately, it doesn't matter. He retains a potent position in House leadership and should be using his political sway to help Oregonians.

Walden also declined an interview with The Oregonian/OregonLive's Editorial Board. However, he did issue a statement:

"I've talked to the Governor, leaders of some of Oregon's largest employers, as well as value added agricultural interests and affordable housing advocates. I'm working with my colleagues to do all I can to improve the final legislation to bring federal tax relief and job growth to Oregon and America. Because of the ongoing discussions, I'm refraining from publicly discussing all of the specifics that are in play."

Gov. Kate Brown said she asked Walden last Thursday to support keeping the local deductions. In a letter to him and the rest of the congressional delegation, she called eliminating the deduction a "double taxation." Her gubernatorial opponent, Rep. Knute Buehler, also has called for Congress to "protect the interests of Oregonians."

Hopefully Walden will listen. And if not, hopefully Oregonians in his district will remember.

-- The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board

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