2006 General Elections - Measures

UPDATE: There's an interesting blog regarding the state measures: www.ORmeasures.org.

OR MEASURE 39: PROHIBITS PUBLIC BODY FROM CONDEMNING PRIVATE REAL PROPERTY IF INTENDS TO CONVEY TO PRIVATE PARTY
[X] Yes
[_] No

This seems like a common sense measure. Condemnation should only be used by governments for public works projects. WWeek makes an almost convincing argument that economic development can be a legitimate use of public condemnation such Hillsboro creating a campus for the state's largest private employer, Intel. However, the idea that governments would condemn small property owners' land just to develop it for a larger company just doesn't seem right to me. It's simply unfair for the governments to give large corporations special rights.

UPDATE: Interestingly the Pacific Green Party of Oregon supports this measure.

OR MEASURE 40: AMENDS CONSTITUTION: REQUIRES OREGON SUPREME COURT JUDGES AND COURT OF APPEALS JUDGES TO BE ELECTED BY DISTRICT
[_] Yes
[X] No

This is basically a conservative/rural attempt to grab power from the progressive/urban Portland metro area. The premise of this measure is that judges should interpret and apply state-wide laws differently depending on where the judge happens to reside.

OR MEASURE 41: ALLOWS INCOME TAX DEDUCTION EQUAL TO FEDERAL EXEMPTIONS DEDUCTION TO SUBSTITUTE FOR STATE EXEMPTION CREDIT
[_] Yes
[X] No

This anti-tax measure panders to the thought all Oregonians have when filing our tax returns: Why is the federal exemption better than the state exemption? Of course state and federal income taxes are completely different, so this law is completely arbitrary. More disturbing, this law would cede Oregonians' control of their taxes to the wacky and incompetent US Congress. Sure, federal exemptions are generous now, but what about in the future?

OR MEASURE 42: PROHIBITS INSURANCE COMPANIES FROM USING CREDIT SCORE OR "CREDIT WORTHINESS" IN CALCULATING RATES OR PREMIUMS
[X] Yes
[_] No

What does a person's credit report have to do with being a safe driver or safe homeowner? There may or may not be a correlation. The use of credit reports in judging people needs to be reigned-in.

OR MEASURE 43: REQUIRES 48-HOUR NOTICE TO UNEMANCIPATED MINOR'S PARENT BEFORE PROVIDING ABORTION; AUTHORIZES LAWSUITS, PHYSICIAN DISCIPLINE
[_] Yes
[X] No

Yes, I'm pro-choice. This law is an obvious attempt to chip-away at abortion rights by restricting the rights of girls. This law claims to protect underage girls, but it's provisions for girls who are the victims of incest or rape are too restrictive.

I really do wish so-called "Pro-Lifers" were really pro-life and support universal healthcare, oppose unnecessary wars, and oppose the death penalty. At the very least, they should support universal healthcare for pregnant women and children. Unfortunately, their anti-government politics overrules any supposed pro-life sentiments.

OR MEASURE 44: ALLOWS ANY OREGON RESIDENT WITHOUT PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE TO PARTICIPATE IN OREGON PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROGRAM
[X] Yes
[_] No

Common sense measure that expands the buying power of the growing number of uninsured. What's sad is that this measure couldn't get passed the Republican-controlled legislature that has been heavily paid-off by the pharma industry. Even Jack Bog supports this measure.

OR MEASURE 45: AMENDS CONSTITUTION: LIMITS STATE LEGISLATORS: SIX YEARS AS REPRESENTATIVE, EIGHT YEARS AS SENATOR, FOURTEEN YEARS IN LEGISLATURE
[_] Yes
[X] No

This measure further restricts the existing limits. Terms limits have been a disaster. The state legislature only puts-off problems until the next session in two years. Inexperienced legislatures are relying on lobbyists for advice and perspective on how to run the state government.

OR MEASURE 46: AMENDS CONSTITUTION: ALLOWS LAWS REGULATING ELECTION CONTRIBUTIONS, EXPENDITURES ADOPTED BY INITIATIVE OR 3/4 OF BOTH LEGISLATIVE HOUSES
[X] Yes
[_] No
MEASURE 47: REVISES CAMPAIGN FINANCE LAWS: LIMITS OR PROHIBITS CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES; ADDS DISCLOSURE, NEW REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
[X] Yes
[_] No

My only hesitancy about voting for this pair of contribution limits is that progressive and conservative political organizations oppose these limits. I am sympathetic to the argument that money is free speech. Ultimately, I'm more concerned about corporate money having too much influence in elections. Of course there are loop holes in all campaign finance laws, but I think it's still worth a chance.

OR MEASURE 48: AMENDS CONSTITUTION: LIMITS BIENNIAL PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN STATE SPENDING TO PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN STATE POPULATION, PLUS INFLATION
[_] Yes
[X] No

While this law does appeal to flat tax sensibilities, the reality is that the state's expenses are not constant. This is the whole point of having a legislature and chief executive to set the budget every two years and continually adjust for the needs. If this law passes, disaster will result.

MULTNOMAH COUNTY MEASURE 26-81: RENEW FIVE-YEAR LOCAL OPTION LEVY TO CONTINUE LIBRARY SERVICES
[X] Yes
[_] No

We all love the library -- although I haven't been there in years.

METRO MEASURE 26-80: BONDS TO PRESERVE NATURAL AREAS, CLEAN WATER, PROTECT FISH, WILDLIFE
[X] Yes
[_] No

We all love green space. WWeek actually opposes this measure. Something about it's too soon and it should be a protest vote against Metro's leadership. I don't believe in protest voting because it's not effective and bad democracy.

WEST MULTNOMAH COUNTY SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT MEASURE 26-82: WEST MULTNOMAH SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT PERMANENT RATE LIMIT
[X] Yes
[_] No

The WMSWCD wants a little money. There were no arguments in the voters pamphlet against it, so sure -- why not.

PORTLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS MEASURE 26-84 PORTLAND SCHOOLS LEVY FOR TEACHERS, CLASSROOMS, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, LEARNING MATERIALS
[X] Yes
[_] No

Schools need money. I know, I know, PPS still needs to close more schools and become more efficient, but they seem to be making an effort to reform.

CITY OF PORTLAND MEASURE 26-86 AMENDS CHARTER: CHANGES FIRE AND POLICE DISABILITY AND RETIREMENT SYSTEM
[X] Yes
[_] No

Seems like a good a start at reforming the retirement system the city cannot afford and has been mismanaged. Preferrably, the fire and police retirement system needs to be self-funded or absorbed into a larger system.