By Don Gomez
State Ballot Measures
Measure 115 would amend Oregon’s state constitution to allow impeachment of elected
officials by the Oregon Legislature with a two-thirds vote by each chamber. A no vote
retains current law which requires a public recall to remove state level elected officials.
The provisions of the measure regarding impeachment and removal from office do not
apply to the Legislature itself, so Legislators would not be able to remove their
colleagues from office under the provisions of this measure.
Arguments in favor have been presented by the Oregon Taxpayers Association who see
it as a safeguard against malfeasance of officials in our executive branch who are
difficult to recall by a public vote. Arguments in opposition include that filed by State
Senate candidate Noah Robinson who feels that the whole idea is an affront to the
voters who placed those officials in office. Robinson feels the voters should have the
sole right and responsibility to remove them if necessary. This measure would have no
financial impact on local governments.
Measure 116 seeks to establish an Independent Public Service Compensation
Commission whose duty would be to determine salaries for certain elected officials
including the state legislature. A no vote would maintain the current practice of allowing
the legislature to determine salaries of state level elected officials including their own.
Arguments in favor include one by a coalition representing community, philanthropic,
and labor organizations who see the measure as instilling greater accountability and
public oversight. The Oregonian’s Editorial Board has published an article in opposition to Measure 116 citing amongst other reasoning that the language of the measure lacks information about how potential commissioners would be appointed, raising questions about just how “independent” the commission would truly be. Measure 116 also promises no fiscal impact on local governments.
Measure 117 proposes the adoption of a rank choice voting system in Oregon. Rank
choice voting allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference. If no candidate
receives a majority of first-choice votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is
eliminated, and their votes are redistributed until a candidate achieves a majority. This
would apply to federal and statewide offices only. The expected fiscal impact of
implementing this measure is expected to cost state government $900,000 during the
2023-2025 biennium, growing to $5.6 million in the 2025-2027 biennium.
The fiscal impact on local governments could be as much as $2.3 million initially, although total costs per county are difficult to estimate and would depend on total number of voters in
the county. Arguments in favor have been submitted by organizations representing
young voters, veterans, and civic leaders including Sunrise Movement, Veterans for All
Voters, and the League of Women Voters of Oregon respectively. Statements in
opposition, have been filed by the Oregon Taxpayers Association and officials within the
Oregon Republican Party.
Measure 118 would increase the state’s highest corporate minimum taxes in order to
redistribute the revenues to eligible individuals with the state replacing any reduced
federal benefits caused by eligibility. A no vote would maintain the twelve corporate tax
brackets currently in place. An argument in favor submitted by Portland Tenants United
cites the current housing crisis and families need for additional funds to meet the rapidly
increasing cost of housing.
Opponents including the Oregon Farm Bureau warn that the most noticeable impact of the measure will be an increased cost for goods and services as businesses pass the tax back to consumers and that any gains recognized by working families would be effectively negated while the measure would also impose a burden on Oregon’s struggling agricultural sector. Known administrative costs are estimated to be $1.6 million to the state’s General Fund in the 2023-25 biennium and $48.2 million to the General Fund in the 2025-27 biennium.
Measure 119 would require cannabis retailers and processors to remain neutral
regarding their employee’s communications with labor organizations and would impose
penalties for those employers found to be in violation. Support for Measure 119 has
been logged from a plethora of elected officials and community leaders across the state
who see the right to unionize as being essential to create and maintain fair and safe
working conditions in the cannabis industry.
Opponents of the measure including the Taxpayers Association of Oregon warn that an embattled cannabis industry may fall to the illegal market if increased regulation is placed on business owners. This measure will increase state government costs by approximately $0.6 million in the first year. Ongoing costs will increase by approximately $0.8 million each subsequent year. The estimated costs include six new positions to verify application documents and monitor compliance. The increased costs will be paid for by license application fees.
Ballot Measures by Municipality
Measure 21-228 (Lake Point Special Road District): Also referred to as the Lake Point
Special Road District Local Option Tax, this measure would establish an additional tax
of $.72 per $1,000 of assessed property value for five years beginning in 2025-2026
fiscal year. Revenues would be used to update and maintain road surfaces, signs, and
lighting. Additionally, the measure would support right-of-way clearances and fund
general operations. The measure would see an increase of revenues of up to $45,000
by 2030.
Measure 21-229 (Seal Rock Rural Fire Protection District): The measure introduces a
five year levy for needed equipment and disaster preparedness considerations. The
Seal Rock Fire District also notes insufficient revenue to maintain current paid and
volunteer firefighter positions as reasons for forwarding the measure. The levy would
total $.25 per $1,000 of assessed property value over its five year duration.
Measure 21-230 (Central Coast Fire & Rescue District): Measure 21-230 asks residents
within the COCF&R District to replace a current $1.27 per $1,000 levy with a new
operational levy of $1.87 per $1000 in order to maintain staffing levels of fire, EMS, and
rescue personnel. The additional funds would also be used to maintain volunteer
programs and update and replace equipment and protective gear. The measure would
potentially create an increase to property taxes of more than 3% annually.
Measure 21-231 (Toledo): The Measure asks residents whether they support the
adoption of a new city charter which would retain the current form of government, add
position numbers to city council seats, and add a stipend to council positions. It would
also clearly define the administrative, legislative, and quasi-judicial actions of the
council. A full copy of the proposed Charter, and the existing charter, can be found on
the city’s website.
Regardless of where you live in Lincoln County, your ballot is chock full of important
decisions this election season. Ballots must be received or mailed with a valid postmark by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Ballots will be counted if they are postmarked by the deadline and received within seven days of Election Day. As of the publication of this article, designated drop boxes are recommended if you want your vote to be counted on election day.
*Don Gomez is a local writer and owner of Sterncastle Publishing. He ran for county commissioner in May but did not win.
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