A Lot to Vote NO on.
ROP 2008 Oregon Ballot Measure Guide

Each election season, The Rural Organizing Project (ROP) provides Oregonians a voter guide – a guide that puts the ballot measures to a criteria test based on the principles of democracy. This year’s ballot based on democratic criterion will require lots of NO votes. However, we have the opportunity to vote YES on 56R, eliminating the “double majority”, thereby returning power to the voters, who turn out to vote for local funding in their communities. Read On.

Based in Scappoose Oregon, and founded in 1992, ROP is a non-profit organization working to advance democracy in all 36 of Oregon’s counties. ROP’s mission is to “strengthen the skills, resources, and vision of primary leadership in local autonomous human dignity groups with the goal of keeping such groups a vibrant source for a just democracy.”

STAND – Small Town Actions for a New Democracy is the complete 2008 ROP voter guide. For a copy and to find out more about ROP and local human dignity groups in your area call: 503.543.8417, www.rop.org. Large print and Spanish Language versions of the guide are available, contact ROP.

TAKING THE BALLOT BY THE REINS: CRITERIA FOR OUR VOTER’S GUIDE
We need government to solve the problems facing us today. When looking at this year’s ballot measures, we asked two questions: Does this measure provide a workable solution to our problems? And does it preserve democracy? We took our definition of democracy from the World Book Encyclopedia that says democracy requires inclusion of all, majority rule and minority rights, an informed and educated public, and a reasonable standard of living. To assess workable solutions, we asked: What is the problem, and does the measure help solve it? Does it help working Oregonians or does it do more harm than good? Is it a wise use of our scarce resources or does it cost even more than the original problem? All proposals are initiatives unless noted with an “R” o signify that they have been referred to the voters by the Legislature.

WHOA THERE!
Beware of friendly sounding ballot titles! The State does not approve citizen initiatives in advance. According to Oregon’s Secretary of State, Bill Bradbury, “most all of the initiatives Oregon voters will decide this fall got there through practices that are now illegal” under new laws that did not apply this year.

Who’s Behind These Measures?
• Bill Sizemore is the longtime anti-tax, anti-government, anti-union activist, head of Oregon Taxpayers United, found liable for racketeering in a ballot measure case in 2002.
• Kevin Mannix is a long time backer of anti-tax, anti-government, anti-union, and discriminatory initiatives and frequent failed candidate for state and federal office.
• Russ Walker heads Oregon Citizens for a Sound Economy, AKA Oregon Freedomworks, a hard right anti-tax, anti-government, anti-union, anti-immigrant group.
• Loren Parks from Nevada is the main backer of Sizemore, Mannix, and Walker; contributing more than $870,000 this year to 6 initiatives and more than $8 million total.
• Phil Keisling is a former Democratic Secretary of State of Oregon who held office from 1991-1999.

56(R)
WHAT IT DOES: Allows property tax elections to be decided by the majority of voters who turn out to vote.
WORKABLE SOLUTION?: YES, Eliminates “double majority” and removes a huge roadblock to funding schools, transportation, and local fire and police. It returns power to voters to decide local funding.
PRESERVES DEMOCRACY?: YES, Encourages and rewards voting by allowing the majority of those who vote to decide elections.
WHO'S BEHIND IT?: Legislature.

57(R)
WHAT IT DOES: Increases sentences for drug and repeat property and identity theft crimes; requires addiction treatment for some offenders.
WORKABLE SOLUTION?: YES, Measure 57 and 61 are competing. If both pass, the one with the most votes will win. We need criminal justice solutions that allow judges the flexibility to get to the root of the problem – in many cases, drug abuse. While this measure is harsher than we would like, it is far better than measure 61’s one-size-fits-all approach.
PRESERVES DEMOCRACY?: YES, Includes drug treatment that helps offenders re-enter society and contribute as members of our democracy. Includes funding plan unlike the extreme and costly measure 61 which would take millions from the Oregon budget.
WHO'S BEHIND IT?: Legislature, Oregon District Attorneys.

58
WHAT IT DOES: Limits teaching children in language other than English to two years (as little as one year for younger children).
WORKABLE SOLUTION?: NO, Children learn better and quicker when taught in English and their first language. This measure would forbid schools and parents from considering the unique circumstances of their community and deprive all children of productive learning environments. This measure would cost Oregon $253 million/year in federal funding without a plan to replace it.
PRESERVES DEMOCRACY?: NO, This measure harms democracy by interfering with education and singling out certain children for unfair treatment. Parents and teachers know what’s best for their kids and this one-size-fits-all approach would undermine that local control.
WHO'S BEHIND IT?: Sizemore, Walker & Parks.

59
WHAT IT DOES: Creates unlimited deduction for federal income taxes on state tax returns (current limit is $5,500)
WORKABLE SOLUTION?: NO, Would crush the state budget by over $1 billion/year to save the richest 1% of Oregonians $15,000/person and the middle 20% only $1/person. We need fair taxation, not more tax cuts for the wealthy.
PRESERVES DEMOCRACY?: NO, A healthy democracy requires a working government, thriving middle class, and fair distribution of wealth – all of which measure 59 hurts.
WHO'S BEHIND IT?: Sizemore, Walker & Parks.

60
WHAT IT DOES: Teacher pay raises and retention must be based only on “Classroom Performance”
WORKABLE SOLUTION?: NO, This is another attempt to weaken public education by linking teacher pay with classroom performance, inevitably leading to more standardized testing. Would disproportionately hurt low-income school districts and reduce the local autonomy of school boards to hire and retain teachers.
PRESERVES DEMOCRACY?: NO, This measure is another attempt to hurt Oregon’s public schools, a core institution of our democracy. A similar measure was defeated in 2000.
WHO'S BEHIND IT?: Sizemore, Walker & Parks.

61
WHAT IT DOES: Creates mandatory minimum sentences for certain non-violent crimes
WORKABLE SOLUTION?: NO, Locking up 6000 more non-violent people in already overcrowded prisons won’t work; we need drug and alcohol treatment that prevents crime and rehabilitate minor criminals. The measure’s estimated $450 million, plus the cost of building new prisons to house non-violent and first-time offenders, will rob crucial funds from education and public services, resulting in even more crime. If both 57 and 61 pass, the one with the most votes will win. Measure 57 is a far better solution.
PRESERVES DEMOCRACY?: NO, It may cost $60,000 to lock up one prisoner for one year. Programs to rehabilitate minor criminals into contributing citizens are much cheaper, and much more effective in preserving a democracy. Mandatory sentencing is a one size fits all approach that undermines the wisdom of judges and juries.
WHO'S BEHIND IT?: Mannix & Parks.

62
WHAT IT DOES: Allocates 15% of lottery proceeds to crime prevention, investigation, and prosecution
WORKABLE SOLUTION?: NO, 2/3 of lottery funds now go to education, and the rest to economic development and parks. This measure would take $159 million from an educational system already teetering on the edge. The money would have to be made up by reducing funds for other needs, or by further cutting funds for teachers, books, and school repairs.
PRESERVES DEMOCRACY?: NO, This measure limits our flexibility to use lottery funds as needed and seriously undermines public education. An educated and informed public is necessary for a healthy democracy.
WHO'S BEHIND IT?: Mannix & Parks.

63
WHAT IT DOES: Exempts most property improvements under $35,000 from most building permit requirements
WORKABLE SOLUTION?: YOU DECIDE, Building codes can sometimes be overly burdensome and costly, but this must be balanced against the benefits of keeping houses safe and structurally sound for current and future occupants and in case of fires. Codes also include watershed protections and flood control plans. Insurance rates could rise as a result of this measure.
PRESERVES DEMOCRACY?: NO, Restricts state and local control over building codes and environmental protection. We are also skeptical of any proposal from Sizemore given his history.
WHO'S BEHIND IT?: Sizemore.

64
WHAT IT DOES: Outlaws using funds collected with “public resource” for “political purpose” (applies to unions and charities)
WORKABLE SOLUTION?: NO, Another measure similar to the ones defeated in 1998 and 2000 that takes choice away from public employees by preventing voluntary paycheck deductions to charities or to pay union dues.
PRESERVES DEMOCRACY?: NO, Eliminates workers choice and does nothing to get big money out of politics. Hurts charities that depend on contributions from public employees. May violate free speech rights.
WHO'S BEHIND IT?: Sizemore & Parks.

65
WHAT IT DOES: Creates one primary open to all parties and independents from which the top 2, regardless of party, would proceed to General Election
WORKABLE SOLUTION?: YOU DECIDE, We clearly need election reform that stops money from dominating politics. This measure opens up the primary to all voters and all candidates. It makes this primary the only road to the general election and would allow only 2 candidates on the general election ballot. Would allow multiple parties to endorse the same candidate.
PRESERVES DEMOCRACY?: YOU DECIDE, Is one primary for all voters more democratic? Will 3rd parties be helped by access to May primaries or hurt by having to win “top two” to run in November? Will endorsements by multiple parties hold major parties more accountable?
WHO'S BEHIND IT?: Keisling.