State of Oregon
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United States Senator: Ron Wyden
Representatives in Congress:
1st District: David Wu
2nd District: Joyce Segers
3rd District: Earl Blumenauer
4th District: Peter DeFazio
5th District:
Kurt Schrader
6th District: Just kidding, Oregon only has 5 districts.
Governor: John Kitzhaber
Treasurer: Ted Wheeler
Oregon Metro Council President: Bob Stacey Discussion: Bob will show decisive leadership on important policy issues, and that's still what metro (and Oregon) need.
Measure 70 through 72 were referred to the people by the Legislature, and thus already represent the result of a well-reasoned consensus that has been reached by our elected body of citizen representatives in Oregon.
Measure 71: Amends Constitution: Requires legislature to meet annually; limits length of legislative sessions; provides exceptions. Estimated Financial Impact: Not estimated to exceed $100,000. Discussion: You know, this sounds like an interesting experiment, and I'm all for interesting experiments taking place in Oregon, if there's not pre-known to be a predictable adverse impact. Know what I'm sayin'? Recommended Vote: Yes.
Measure 72: Amends Constitution: Authorizes exception to $50,000 state borrowing limit for state's real and personal property projects. Estimated Financial Impact: This should provide for lower financing costs to the state to acquire debt. Discussion: The state says it needs more tools in its financial toolchest. It's going through hard times. This seems like a really good idea. Recommended Vote: Yes.
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Measures 73 through 76 were referred to the ballot through citizen initiative petition.
Measure 73: Requires increased minimum sentences for certain repeated sex crimes, incarceration for repeated driving under influence. Estimated Financial Impact: $18.1 million to $29.1 million per year after it fully takes effect after its fourth year of impact, lesser until then. Discussion: While this seems like a good law-and-order measure, in these hard financial times, I'd like to see it come with some financing attached to help pay for itself. I don't see that. Without more evidence that this is the best solution available for the problem at hand, I don't see the compelling cost-benefit analysis that says this is the best use of the state's limited funding. Recommended Vote: No.
Measure 74: Establishes medical marijuana supply system and assistance and research programs; allows limited selling of marijuana. Estimated Financial Impact: Up to $20 million in revenue to the state in the first year alone. Discussion: Some time has passed since Oregon legalized medical marijuana, and in that time, experience has shown that additional regulation could improve the situation. This measure is therefore an evolutionary step forward from the present situation in Oregon. Recommended Vote: Yes.
Measure 75: Authorizes Multnomah County casino; casino to contribute monthly revenue percentage to state for specified purposes. Estimated Financial Impact: Yeah, allows for opening a casino. I think it might bring in some cash. Maybe a few dozen million per year or so in taxes, something along those lines, once a casino begins operations... Discussion: I think there are much better-thought-out options to raise cash for the state, including some of the other measures on this ballot. We don't need to stoop this low yet. Recommended Vote: No.
Measure 76: Amends Constitution: continues lottery funding for parks, beaches, wildlife habitat, watershed protection beyond 2014; modifies funding process. Estimated Financial Impact: None, unless you happen to be another state program competing annual for lottery funding since this is a renewal measure, these funds are already currently obligated to this purposes. Discussion: This is micro-managing the Legislature. As good-intentioned as this sounds, I believe the Legislature actually might already have a process to work this out, which is what we did elect them to do. Since this is a renewal measure, this is just a matter of reinforcing our already-good judgement to use some lottery funds to help support the parks. Recommended Vote: Yes.
People's Republic of Multnomah County:
Measures 26-109, 26-110, 26-111, 26-112, 26-113, 26-114, 26-118: Yes
City of Portland:
Measure 26-108: Yes
Measure 26-117: No
Tri-Met:
Measure 26-119: Yes Discussion: begrudgingly, since this is effectively the renewal of the bond funding that was used to construct Westside Light Rail, and I don't see this current expenditure as rising to that level of vision-achievement.
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2 comments:
I don't think you did your research on Measure #76 and I just hope you haven't influenced others in voting wrong. I know you well, and I'm sure you didn't mean to make such an error. My own Audubon Society of Portland wrote a lengthy explanation of Measure 76 and I have read other arguments on this measure as well and figured it a "no brainer" to vote yes. The only problem with Measure #76 is that we all know that we aren't doing near enough to help protect and preserve public parks and wildlife habitat but we certainly don't want to take anything away. This measure is only renewing Oregon's only dedicated fund for our natural areas. This originated in 1998 by ballot measure "66 which passed with overwhelming support to dedicate 15% of lottery funds toward working to restore habitats, acquiring natural areas, and creating and improving state and local parks. Measure 76 will not divert money away from other state services, it will simply retain existing non-tax funding. "Let's leave a legacy for future generations by voting YES to protect Oregon's Water, Parks, and Wildlife" - ASOP.
OK, you're right, I'll change my recommendation on 76.
~Garlynn
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