Tom Andersen and the Salem Payroll Tax
As a Salem city councilor in 2019, Tom Andersen voted repeatedly for an employee-paid payroll tax. Here is each vote, with the meeting it came from.
In 2019 the Salem City Council moved to create a tax on wages earned inside the city, paid by employees whether or not they lived in Salem. The council referred it to the May 2020 ballot, then withdrew it that March. Salem voters never got to vote on Andersen’s payroll tax — but when a later version came up, it was defeated overwhelmingly.
| Date | What the council did | Result | Andersen |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 8, 2019 | City Council directs staff to prepare ordinances for $16.2 million in General Fund services, including an employee-paid payroll tax on people working inside Salem city limits (minimum-wage earners exempted). | Passed 6–2, one absent | Aye |
| July 8, 2019 | Councilor Andersen’s own amendment: return with a progressive rate structure to make up the revenue lost by reducing the operating fee. | Passed 7–1 | Moved it |
| Aug. 12, 2019 | Direct staff to amend Bill 11-19 so the revenue is dedicated to public safety, bring it back for first reading, and refer it to Salem voters. | Passed 7–1 | Aye |
| Oct. 28, 2019 | First reading of Ordinance Bill 11-19, an employee-paid tax on wages earned within the city of Salem, and referral to voters. | Passed 8–1 | Aye |
| Nov. 12, 2019 | Second reading of Bill 11-19. Ordinance approved. | Passed 7–1, one absent | Aye |
| Dec. 2, 2019 | Resolution 2019-84 adopted, referring Bill 11-19 to Salem voters at the May 19, 2020 election. | Adopted (consent calendar; roll call not itemized) | — |
| Mar. 23, 2020 | Resolution 2020-19 withdraws the referral of Bill 11-19 from the May 19, 2020 ballot, citing the economic impact of COVID-19. | Passed 9–0 | Aye |
Source: Salem City Council Final Action Agendas (minutes) for July 8, Aug. 12, Oct. 28, Nov. 12 and Dec. 2, 2019, and March 23, 2020. See also the Statesman Journal report, “Salem council removes payroll tax measure,” March 23, 2020.
When people finally had a say
- Tom Andersen left the City Council before 2023. He did not vote on the 2023 Salem payroll-tax ordinance. Salem voters rejected that later version, 81.73% No to 18.27% Yes, in November 2023.
- The 2019 proposal exempted minimum-wage earners, and the council voted to refer it to the voters. The point is who it would have taxed: people who work in Salem, whether or not they live here. Some people would have been taxed but have no vote in city elections.
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