One week remains until the May 18 primary election, and voter pamphlets have been mailed.
This year’s spring election will present Eugene voters with two state measures, four county measures, four non-partisan county commissioner races and three non-partisan city offices. The ballot will also provide voters the option to support candidates for the offices of U.S. Senator, state treasurer, superintendent of public instruction, and governor.
Here’s a breakdown of the state and county ballot measures, with Lisa Ackerson of the Oregon Elections Division lending some insight:
State Measure 68: Matching school bonds
According to Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown, Measure 68 would broaden the definition of “capital costs” in Oregon’s constitution and allow voters to approve local district bonds, as well as allow the state to issue bonds that would assist Oregon schools. The Oregon constitution currently restricts voters from approving local district bonds and prevents the state from issuing bonds to help school districts pay for school capital costs. It would dedicate 15 percent of state lottery revenues to a “school capital matching fund” as a way to repay state funds provided to districts. Measure 68 is supported by the Oregon teacher’s union, a number of school districts and prominent members of the Oregon State Board of Education. Ackerson said she was not aware of any organized opposition to the measure.
State Measure 69: Expanding higher education funds
Measure 69 would modernize state authority to use general obligation bonds, or “lowest-cost borrowing,” to finance projects for the benefit of community colleges and public universities in the state. It has the support of the Oregon University System, Oregon Treasurer Ted Wheeler, Attorney General John Kroger and Gov. Ted Kulongoski. Ackerson said she was also not aware of organized opposition to this measure.
County Measure 20-158: Saving Lane County Extension Service
Measure 20-158 would “provide funding for Extension education programs, operations, and staffing,” according to a document emphasizing the nearly 100-year-old service’s lack of funding, titled “Just the Facts” and released by Steve Dodrill of Oregon State University.
Oregon State University Extension Service provides research-based education and has been active since 1914. It has the endorsement of The Register-Guard and Eugene Weekly newspapers.
County Measures 20-159, 20-160 and 20-161: Amendments to County Charter
These housekeeping measures would make amendments to the County Charter. Measure 20-159 calls for the creation of a committee to review the Lane County Charter every 10 years, if needed. Measure 20-160 ensures elected officials meet state-required qualifications by clarifying the charter. Measure 20-161 intends to make sure Lane County Elections are in compliance with state law by clarifying primary election rules.
Ackerson said ballots are due on May 18 by 8 p.m. at an official drop site. She said a drop site locator is available at www.oregon.gov.
[email protected]
Primary nears, ballot measures set for vote
Daily Emerald
May 10, 2010
0
More to Discover