Oregon voters overwhelmingly denied two landmark state ballot measures and approved an increase to the Oregon minimum wage. Locally, all six county measures were heading for defeat, while all but two city of Eugene measures were passing easily at press time.
Ballot Measure 23, the state initiative that would have given all Oregonians health services, was turned down by nearly 80 percent of voters. Supporters heralded the measure, which would have needed at least $1.7 billion in state money annually to fund the health plan, as a significant step toward state-sponsored health care.
Supporters of the plan chalked up the loss to aggressive campaigning by their opponents.
“The opposition, the money, and the mistruths,” said Pam Driscoll, an Oregonian who worked in support of the measure. She added that organizers were already considering whether to advocate the issue in the next election.
Ballot Measure 27, the genetic foods labeling act, had a similar fate with more than 70 percent rejecting the proposal. The measure would have required companies to label packages of genetically engineered food. Opponents of the measure spent millions campaigning against the act, which was seen by many as an initiative that could have had
national repercussions.
Measure supporters said they were not deterred by the failure.
“I think the ultimate loss is not being able to be the best consumer that (people) can be,” measure supporter and co-organizer Mel Bankoff said. “This is not the end — this is only the beginning. We’re going to come back smarter, stronger and more proactive.”
Lane County voters struck down all six measures, including initiatives to raise funds for a new jail intake center, build and renovate county parks and construct a new $30 million public health building.
Eugene voters passed seven measures, many of which altered the city charter and added housekeeping amendments. Local voters denied a measure to appoint an official city attorney and did not approve Ballot Measure 20-67, a city initiative that would have raised money for local schools during a four-year period.
“This would have been a breath of fresh air,” 4-J School District Superintendent George Russell said. “We could have gotten through (next school year) with a minimal level of reductions.”
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