Kick the kicker check toward schools, fund?

SALEM, Ore. (AP) - Oregon lawmakers are looking to beef up the state's reserve fund with money that typically goes back to taxpayers in the form of a kicker.

At a press conference Tuesday, a bipartisan group of legislators announced they plan to ask voters to surrender some of their kicker money to add stability to state services.

As it is now, kicker rebates are triggered when state revenues exceed budget projections by 2 percent or more.

Under the proposal, the first 6 percent in surplus funds for individuals and 36 percent for corporations would go into the rainy day fund. Once the fund has reached its cap, kickers would be triggered by the 2 percent standard.

The change would require a constitutional amendment, so it must be approved by voters.

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