The goal of Measure 98 is to prohibit the use of public resources to collect or help collect political funds.
Opponents say the measure is vaguely worded and would affect more than just a public employee’s paycheck: It would affect the activities and voices of the University student body as well.
If passed, Measure 98 would prohibit the use of public resources for political purposes. Public resources include public monies, public employee time, public buildings and public equipment and supplies. Because the buildings on campus are public, they could potentially no longer be used for political purposes.
Sean Smith, campaign spokesman for the committee against Measure 98, said the University would be at a loss if the measure is passed. He said it would affect many student groups, including the LGBTA and Students for Choice, by not allowing them to use any of the University’s buildings to hold meetings or plan activities.
“Any [group or activity] deemed political would be illegal on campus,” Smith said. “You couldn’t even send an e-mail to your representative using campus e-mail. Students would be negatively impacted by this measure.”
But Becky Miller, executive assistant for Oregon Taxpayers United, said Measure 98 was written to stop certain groups from raising political funds on taxpayers’ dollars and would not affect the University at all.
“Public workers are having money taken from them without their consent,” Miller said. “Unless the group is using the facility to raise money, it wouldn’t affect them, and that is even a stretch of the law.”
Melissa Unger, legislative organizer for the ASUO, said how the University is impacted would depend on how the measure plays out in the courts. She was not able to give her opinion on the measure, but did say it could significantly affect students.
“The scope of it is unclear,” Unger said, “but it would limit the student voice drastically.”