NEWSROOM:
(541)346-5511
E-MAIL:
ode@oregon. uoregpn.edu
ON-LINE EDITION:
www.uoiegon.edu/~ode
0regoaH£€meraltr
EDITOR IN CHIEF
Ryan Frank
EDITORIAL EDITORS
Kameron Cole
Stefanie Knowlton
Emerald endorses state measures
This year's issues range from the complex to the controversial
TITLE
Measure 54:
School bonds
Measure 55:
Prepaid college
tuition
Measure 56:
Land-use
notice
Measure 57:
Marijuana
possession
Measure 58:
Open adoption
records
Measure 59:
Union dues
Measure 60:
Vote by mail
Measure 62:
Campaign
finance
Measure 63:
Supermajority
Measure 64:
Logging and
pesticide use
Measure 65:
Administrative
rules
Measure 66:
Lottery money
Measure 67:
Medical
marijuana
DESCRIPTION
This measure would amend the constitution to allow
schools to sell bonds backed by the state government.
Allows state government to guarantee earnings on pre
paid tuition trust funds.
Measure 56 would require that landowners be given ad
vance notice from the government about zoning
changes that would affect their property.
Under this measure, possession of less than an ounce of
marijuana would become a Class C misdemeanor pun
ishable by up to 30 days in jail and a $500 to $1,000 fine.
Allows adult adoptees access to original, unaltered Ore
gon birth certificates.
Would make it illegal to use public resources to collect
money for political use.
Would require that primary and general elections held in
even-numbered years be vote by mail.
Titled the Open and Fair Elections Act, this measure
would require additional disclosure of campaign finance
information and regulate certain contribution methods.
Would require that measures that require a greater-than
majority vote receive at least that same percentage of
votes to be valid.
Would restrict the size and number of trees that may be
harvested, as well as the use of chemical pesticides and
herbicides.
Would create a way to review state agency administra
tive rules.
This proposal would require that 15 percent of state lot
tery money go to state parks and habitat protection.
This initiative would allow those with debilitating medical
conditions to grow and use a limited amount of marijua
na to manage symptoms. Also establishes a permit sys
tem to identify those who would be exempt from existing
criminal drug statutes.
ODE von
YES
YES
YES
NO
NO
NO
YES
YES
YES
NO
NO
NO
YES
REASON
This proposal provides a viable option for financing the construction of new schools and remodeling existing
ones. It has been estimated that this measure would save Oregon schools and community colleges $70 million
over the next 20 years.
With college costs ever increasing, the option to lock in current tuition levels is one many Oregon families
would welcome.
Property owners should be kept abreast of actions that might affect the value of their land, whether the changes
are being made by neighbors or state government.
We believe this to be a misguided attempt to target youth drug use that would suck much-needed resources
away from other programs and services.
While there are some compelling arguments in favor of allowing adoptees access to their birth records, the fact
that this measure contains no exceptions, even for cases of sexual assault, makes us wary. This measure, as
currently worded, jeopardizes the confidentiality that many birth mothers prize.
If passed, Measure 59 could substantially restrict the amount of information relayed to voters. Its far-reaching
definition of political activity and failure to demonstrate any significant benefit to the public warrant a no vote.
Not only does mail voting save money, it Is much more convenient for the bulk of the electorate than physically
going to the polls. If this leads to more citizen participation in the political process, then it is a worthwhile exper
iment.
This is a step toward making politicians more accountable to the populace they claim to serve.
It makes sense tor measures to be subject to the rules they propose.
While we agree the issue of forest sustainability is important and needs to be addressed, Measure 64 is over
board.
Sometimes the most compelling reason to oppose a measure is the lack of compelling argument in favor of it.
Such is the case with this measure. Measure 65 is too convoluted and wouldn't bring about any real change.
Once again, this is a worthy effort, but one we must oppose. Using lottery money this way means less for
schools.
Those who are going to medicate themselves with marijuana will do so in spite of criminal law. Prosecuting
these individuals is a waste of state time and money. The provisions of this measure are specific enough to re
fute claims that enacting it is akin to legalizing marijuana.
Candidate Endorsements
Incumbents favored by this year’s editorial board
Governor
Gov. John Kitzhaber, Democrat
Kitzhaber’s support of higher education is
sues definitely helps his case, but the lack of
serious opposition Is what puts him overthe
edge.
U.S. Senate
Sen. RonWyden, Democrat
Wyden has admirable stances on education,
crime and the environment. His 17 years of
Congressional experience give him a strong
advantage over his opponent.
U.S. House; 4th District
Rep. Peter DeFazio, Democrat
Arguably Eugene’s most beloved public offi
cial, DeFazio has that distinction for a reason.
Strong support for higher education and a
wealth of experience earn our vote.
State Senator: 20th District
Susan Castillo, Democrat
While we admire the initiative of Republican
challenger and University student Scott
Austin, we believe the state would be better
served by Casttlio’s leadership experience.
State Representative: 40th District
Floyd Prozanski, Democrat
Prozanski’s advocacy on behalf of public ed
ucation and strong stance on civil rights and
anti-discrimination legislation make him the
person for the job.
These endorsements represent the optn ion
of the Emerald editorial hoard. Responses
may be sent to ode@oregon.uoregon.edu
Letters to the Editor
Emerald’s position irrational
I must take issue with the Emerald’s po
sition on the Eugene parks and open space
measure (ODE, Oct. 26). First of all voters
should understand that Eugene has not
passed a parks bond measure since before I
was born in 1977. As such, the city has fall
en behind in the purchase of parks and
open spaces, especially when compared
with similarly sized, and perhaps less-pro
gressive, cities such as Corvallis and
Beaverton.
Secondly, it should be noted that any
parks district must balance the needs of all
of its constituents. That being said, consid
er how large a percentage of Eugene’s parks
demand is for athletic facilities. It is neither
fair nor realistic to expect the private sector
to underwrite the construction of athletic
facilities while the public foots the bill for
more traditional “parks.” Parks systems
benefit the whole community and not just
the athletes.
Take a moment to observe the South Hills
of Eugene. See those houses encroaching on
the formerly green hillsides? This parks
measure is about preserving water quality,
preventing landslides and other environ
mental hazards and maintaining the natural
surroundings that characterize Eugene —
three crucial elements which your editorial
managed not to include. The time to pre
serve those lands is now and voters should
act accordingly.
“Sav[ingl the taxpayers a few bucks” is a
weak argument for the rejection of a bond
measure; an argument that reflects a lack of
thought and effort. There was a time when
the Emerald could be counted on as a voice
of rational, progressive thought; it’s a shame
to see that time has passed.
Sean Williams
Music Education