For Years, Oregon Stole People’s Home Equity Over Modest Tax Debts. A New Law Puts an End to That. Color me shocked – I’m amazed a Democrat signed this into law. Lots of states (including Oregon) would seize property worth $300,000 over a $3,000 state tax debt, sell it for the full amount, reimburse their tax department the $3,000, and keep $297,000 for themselves. Now, at least in Oregon, they can’t. With Democrats holdin’ a supermajority in the legislature and one livin’ in the governor’s mansion, where’d they find enough common sense to pass a bill like that, much less sign it into law?