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Branden Dross's avatar

Great article, JP

Anyone would be salivating at grabbing Evander for their club. We can’t be naive. I don’t want to lose Evander but if $22 million came along from a WC club, it would be hard to turn down.

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Lefthanded49's avatar

The Timbers have all the leverage and are in a good position. I would hold out for a mega offer (in the 20s) whether foreign or domestic, or report and play. It is up to Evander to be a professional. Whether he is or not remains to be seen.

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Jeff Wright's avatar

To be clear, Jeremy, Oregon does not have the highest income tax rate in the country. California, New Jersey, New York (all MLS home states) and Hawaii track higher. DC (another MLS area) has a higher rate for incomes over $1 million.

In addition, players - and the team - should also consider we don't have a sales tax, something that only a few states can promote.

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Michael Bales's avatar

Thanks for clearing up many issues regarding this troubling saga. Evander knows it's in his best interest to put together another MVP-like season if he wants to return to Brazil or Europe and win a spot on the Brazillian national team.

One irritating and likely preventable issue is that Evander and Antony are still waiting to get green cards at this late date. Have they or their agents caused this problem by not staying on top of such matters? It would also seem like something the FO plays a role in. The bottom line is that it hurts the team big time and makes it more likely to have another poor start to the season.

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SalsaChoque's avatar

> One irritating and likely preventable issue is that Evander and Antony are still waiting to get green cards at this late date.

No, USCIS can do whatever the hell they want and delay you indefinitely. Also my friend in the State Department told me that all kinds of people are leaving due to not wanting to deal with the upcoming shit show. Add the holidays and things are gonna be slow.

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Summer Fullerton's avatar

Can you explain how Oregon has the highest tax rate?

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Michael Bales's avatar

Oregon has the fifth-highest state income tax in the nation. This is widely known and documented, as a Google search will show. Adding to the financial burden if you live in Portland is a bevy of city and Multnomah County taxes, many of which were enacted by voter referendums. There are some estimates that Portland residents have the highest or among the highest total tax burdens in the country.

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Jeff Wright's avatar

Portland's not even in the top 10, Michael. I imagine we would go even further down the list if they showed them. https://turbotax.intuit.com/tax-tips/fun-facts/cities-with-the-highest-tax-rates/L2WEdS802

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Jeff Wright's avatar

Tax policies and rankings are a dark science. An example, the marginal tax rate that many are waving around doesn't include the effect of no sales taxes in its measurements. No doubt, Portland is a higher tax city. But, I step in when so many navel-gazing locals (business leaders in particular) see it somehow worse tax-wise than anywhere else. Not even close.

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Bethany Rob's avatar

How states and municipalities around the US raise funds varies extremely widely, but one thing is for sure: Oregon and its cities have a big disadvantage because there's no sales tax.

It provides a monthly income stream to cushion the seasonal variations inherent to other types of taxes.

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Jeff Wright's avatar

I agree with you on policy, Bethany but, for the players and Timbers, the case is that Jeremy could have noted that the lack of sales tax might be used to promote Oregon, given that the income tax is high.

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Bethany Rob's avatar

Yep. Just as you note, there are all kinds of ways to spin the various differences in State tax policies.

Bottom line, in terms of overall tax burden Oregon is #23, right in the middle of the 50 states.

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Eddiearniwhatever's avatar

Question, what is the maximum PTFC could get for Evander while staying within the teams salary cap?

The "unlimited amount of out of pocket funds" bit is a little misleading, since there are limits...

Also, is it unheard of for teams to throw perks at players and their families off the books as incentive to lure them in?

Evander was complaining about family not getting work permits, for example. (Probably going to be a lot harder now of course)

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Alonzo Hazelferk's avatar

Jeremy, I value your perspective. Thanks. Keep up the good work.

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