PORTLAND, Oregon – The Oregon Legislature has passed the progressive Less Fabric is More tax, effective immediately for the summer months of June through September. The new levy imposes graduated fees on public attire, penalizing those who dare to layer up in the Pacific Northwest’s notoriously mild heat waves, while rewarding the bare essentials with substantial rebates.

Under the statute, signed into law by Gov. Tina Kotek individuals spotted in public wearing more than a baseline “minimal coverage” — defined vaguely as “anything more than a smile” — will face escalating charges. A single T-shirt incurs a $50 fine per outing, escalating to $150 for pants, and a whopping $300 for the unpleasant combination of socks and sandals.

Lawmakers Approve Controversial Less Fabric is More Tax for Summer

“This is about sustainability in Oregon and abroad,” explained State Sen. Barefoot McDuffy (D-Portland), the bill’s sponsor. “The amount of waste created by the clothing industry is not sustainable. Less clothing looks better and natural anyway.”

Households opting for complete public nudity qualify for a $200 tax credit per member, regardless of age. “It’s family-friendly fiscal policy,” McDuffy added, noting that the credit extends to pets, provided they forgo collars.

Economists project the measure could generate $500 million annually, funding new state parks with mandatory clothing-optional zones.

State Leaders Defend the Less Fabric is More Tax

Public reaction has been sharply mixed since the Less Fabric is More tax went into effect. “I never thought I’d save money by stripping down — we removed our clothing in a breeze!” said local resident Clara Skin, 45, who plans to claim credits for her entire family of five.

She added that the rebate is so generous they’ve already begun budgeting for a “clothing-free summer vacation.” Critics, however, decry the policy as a slippery slope. “What’s next? Taxes on umbrellas during rain?” fumed Rep. Modesty Veil (R-Eugene), suggesting the Less Fabric is More tax opens the door to “state-sponsored streaking.”

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State officials insist the Less Fabric is More tax will be enforced fairly through a network of “decency drones” equipped with AI trained to detect fabric infractions down to the thread. Privacy advocates, however, warn the drones could lead to unprecedented overexposure—both literal and governmental.

As Oregonians shed their inhibitions this summer, and the Less Fabric is More tax reshapes public norms, one thing is certain: the meaning of Beaver State takes a twist even its founders probably didn’t see coming.