KEIZER, Ore. (KOIN) – The Cherriots Board of Directors is considering a new tax to fund their service, leaving some in the business community frustrated.

The board for the Salem-area transportation service is looking at a 0.7% employer-paid payroll tax. This would come on top of a tax hike state lawmakers are close to passing in the Oregon Special Session. If the board’s proposed tax goes into effect, it would raise $39 million in the first year for Cherriots projects.

The board of directors can pass the tax on its own, without the public voting on it. The public has voted down similar taxes in the past— by a wide margin. Jonathan Thompson with the Keizer Chamber of Commerce said he hopes the board considers the effects.

“For us, it's $500 per employee per year,” he said. “And it's not

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