BEND, OR -- Congressman Greg Walden was in Central Oregon Friday, promoting the success of the GOP tax reform bill. "You’re seeing over a million Americans now that are getting bonuses and that are getting starting-wage increases, whether you’re at Walmart or whether you’re at – some of the banks, some of the airlines are putting out bonuses, and all," the Oregon Republican told reporters, "We are stimulating the economy, we’re putting money back in the pockets of working Americans, and then we’re growing jobs.
He toured Deschutes Brewery and talked with the company's founder about how reforms will benefit the state’s craft brew industry. Walden says he worked for several years to reduce the excise tax on beer, "We cut it in half in this bill. That’s substantial savings – whether you’re Free Bridge in The Dalles, Oregon or you’re Deschutes Brewery, here – that will be reinvested in new equipment and growth. We also said to companies, small businesses, you can write-off in the first year whatever you invest, in terms of new plant and equipment." He added, "I worked directly with Kevin Brady (R-TX), who Chairs the Ways and Means Committee, where all this was happening. This was one of my priorities because I knew it was important for Oregon, I knew it was important for our craft brewers, and I knew the importance they have on our local economy. And we succeeded."
And, the Congressman says the average family will see about a $1,900 reduction in federal taxes. "That’s not crumbs; that’s real money to working people in this state and in this district. And again, to this industry – the craft brewing industry – cutting that excise tax in half makes a real difference, as well, and allows for money to be reinvested going forward, in new plant and equipment."
Walden also denounced alleged vulgar remarks recently made by President Trump, during his stop in Bend. While in Central Oregon, Walden met with members of the Crook County Farm Bureau Saturday, to talk about how agriculture will be positively impacted by tax reform.
