You might have seen this story in the
Oregonian or
Willamette Week today and wondered just what the hell the folks at the Employment Department are thinking. They are going after Mississippi Studios to get what they think is owed to the state in back employment taxes by contending that by existing law any musicians that perform at a venue are "employed" by the venue . . . unless a signed contract explicitly states that the musician is hired as an independent contractor. This, simply, is a totally ridiculous application of the law and, if the state wins on this, threatens to put music venues (particularly small ones) out of business.
A good summary letter of the situation from Jim Brunberg's lawyer was posted last week on Dave Allen's
Pampelmoose site. If you are so inclined to write to the state to provide your opinion on this situation, please don't hesitate to use the addresses at the bottom of the post. Or here . . .
Oregon Employment Department – Tax Section
Attn: Dennis Seibel
875 Union Street NE, Room 107
Salem, OR 97311-0030
Oregon Department of Justice
Hardy Myers
1162 Court St. NE
Salem, OR 97301
Thanks.
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