BY SARAH ROSS

MEDFORD- The list of political action committees hoping to influence Oregon politics can add two new tax-focused groups to its ranks.

The new political action committees, although officially unrelated, were both created to promote lower taxes and fees.

The Jefferson Political Action Committee will focus primarily on raising money for “fiscally conservative and responsible” candidates in swing districts and will host events that would bring in national speakers.

Meanwhile, the Taxpayers Union USA will distribute information to members of the PAC for the purpose of writing letters to State Legislators and the Governor regarding tax- and fee-focused legislation and Letters to the Editor for major newspapers in the state.

Jonathan Bilden, Executive Director for both PACs, said the recent $1.5 billion increase in state taxes and fees―combined with the growing government, state deficit, and federal debt―led to the creation of the organizations.

Bilden said he hopes to provide “the access for taxpayers to be communicating with their representatives at the state and federal levels.”

Bilden called the PACs’ “absolute main focus” to be the “responsible expenditure of the public funds.”

“If that’s a more conservative outlook on fiscal policy, than that’s what it is,” said Bilden.

State Representative Sal Esquivel, R-Medford, co-founder of the groups, said the PACs were created because they will meet a need.

“We need to―as people and as taxpayers―need to protect our interests, and the only way we can do that is putting money into a political action committee and trying to offset some of that union money,” said Esquivel.

Esquivel stated that everyone is concerned about taxes and fees in Oregon, regardless of their political affiliation.

Whenever legislation is presented that would increase taxes or fees, Esquivel plans that the Taxpayers Union would send a message to its members notifying them of the legislation and directing them to a site for submitting letters to every state legislator.

“It’s about being proactive instead of reactive,” said Esquivel. “It’s about getting in front of these issues. And it’s about speaking from your heart.”