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PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Portland officials will consider keeping secret the names of residents who pay the city's arts tax, a $35 fee that helps raise money for art and music teachers but that many people do not pay.
The city has provided the names and addresses of those who pay the tax since voters approved it in 2012, but the City Council planned to consider changing that rule Wednesday, The Oregonian reported (http://is.gd/rYrwdj ).
"In the case of an income tax, releasing names and addresses of taxpayers in not a reasonable expectation that taxpayers have," the City Council ordinance reads. "As such, names and addresses of taxpayers who have paid the Arts Tax should remain confidential to the extent the law allows."
There will be no public discussion because the issue was placed on the council's "consent agenda," which is supposed to include only routine, non-controversial matters. The panel is scheduled to vote on the change March 2.
The tax has failed to produce the expected income, with tens of thousands of Portland residents not paying it, according to a city audit last year.
The tax's rules require the city to release the names and addresses of anyone who has paid the tax. It provided the information last year but would not give out a full database requested by The Oregonian newspaper of those who received arts-tax notices or were charged a late fee.
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Information from: The Oregonian, http://www.oregonlive.com
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