With less than two months to go until this year’s general election, the ballot Oregon voters will receive is ready to go.
The Nov. 2 ballot will have seven ballot measures proposing a broad variety of changes to state law. Here is an overview of the new measures.
Measure 70
A yes vote for Measure 70 would make more Oregon veterans eligible for low-income home loans through the Oregon War Veteran’s Fund. Originally put to vote in 1944 by legislative referral, the Oregon War Veteran’s Fund was amended by voters to assist Oregon residents who served in the United States Armed Forces. The fund currently excludes many Vietnam-era and post-9/11 combat veterans who were honorably discharged but did not apply for the program within 30 years of their discharge. This would change with the passage of Measure 70.
Measure 70 would have no direct financial impact on the state, according to Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown’s estimates listed on her website.
Measure 71
If passed, Measure 71 would require the state legislature to meet annually, instead of the current system of meeting only on odd- numbered years. Referred to the voters by the legislature, Measure 71 became priority when the legislature called an emergency special session last year to deal with Oregon’s economic woes.
Legislators found the emergency session necessary because they didn’t have enough time during the regular session. Measure 71’s text limits the number of days to 35 days in even years, and 160 day sessions in odd years. Brown estimates on her website that Measure 71 would equal no more that $100,000 in state and local expenditures.
Measure 72
The final measure put forth by the state legislature is Measure 72, a wordy proposal that would restructure the state’s borrowing tactics. The measure would add an exception allowing the state to issue general obligation bonds to finance certain projects. General obligation bonds, municipal bonds backed by taxing power and the cheapest method of borrowing for the state, cost less than the certificates of participation, financial documents that give the state a return based on revenues from the project. Brown states on her website that Measure 72 would have no negative financial impact.
Measure 73
The first of four measures put on the ballot by citizen initiative, Measure 73 would create mandatory minimums of 25 years for incarceration sentences of certain repeat felony sex crimes. It would also implement a 90-day jail sentence for a third driving under influence conviction.
Measure 73 would cost the state $1.4 million in the first year. Costs after that year would steadily increase to between $18 million to $29 million for the fifth and subsequent years, according to a final estimate of the financial impact put together by the Secretary of State’s office. Measure 73 would make small reductions in local government expenditures, primarily shifting costs to the state. Measure 73 would not increase taxes.
Measure 74
Measure 74 would expand the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program to license more marijuana farmers to distribute their crops to a system of state-run medical marijuana dispensaries throughout Oregon and create a greater number of dispensaries. The measure would cost the state between $400,000 and $600,000 each year, starting in 2012, to be paid for by program fees required by the measure. The exact amount by which the measure would increase state revenues has not been determined, but estimates range from $400,000 to $20 million per year.
Measure 75
Measure 75 would be an initial move toward creating a gaming tax of 25 percent on casinos to be used in the state lottery. The lottery contributes
to education, state police, and local governments. To implement the measure, a separate state constitutional amendment would be required. The measure would cost the state $1 million in the first year, and if a casino was licensed, between $4 and $6 million in the following two-year period and between $4 and $8 million in each two-year period after that. If the measure passes, state and local revenues may be increased between $13 million and $68 million. The measure would also shift funds from state to local governments, which could lead to a potential loss of $26 million.
Measure 76
This non-controversial measure amends the constitution to continue using lottery funds for the preservation of parks, beaches, wildlife habitats and watershed protection. It would extend the law beyond the current sunset date of 2014. The measure would not increase state revenue nor cost state or local governments, according to Brown’s website.
Of the four measures proposed by citizen initiative on this year’s ballot, only Measure 76 doesn’t include opposing arguments on the Secretary of State’s website —with 42 arguments listed in favor.
Carla Corbin of the Oregon Department of Elections said ballots are scheduled to be sent out to Oregonians come mid-October. Residents must be registered to vote by Oct. 12.
[email protected]
Ballot measure breakdown: what they could achieve
Daily Emerald
September 18, 2010
0
More to Discover