Oregon daily emerald., October 23, 2002, Image 1

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A new EMU/Page 4
Wednesday, October 23,2002
Since 1900
University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon
Volume 104, Issue 39
ASUO will resubmit measures for election
The ASUO will hold a special election
after clearing up some language
in measures about the budget
ASUO elections
Jan Montry
Campus/Federal Politics Reporter
The ASUO Constitution Court on Tuesday
denied four major ballot measures slated for
the upcoming ASUO special election because
of unclear language.
The special election, which will take place
Oct. 28 and 29, includes an update to the
ASUO Constitution and funding exemptions
for the Programs Finance Committee and the
Athletic Department Finance Committee.
According to the court’s opinion, Ballot Mea
sure 6.15.1 violated an ASUO Constitution
rule stating ballot measures must be worded in
a “clear and objective fashion.”
In another separate opinion, the Court said
Ballot Measures 6.15.2,14.4 and 14.6 also vio
lated the ASUO Constitution because they did
not state a question.
ASUO President Rachel Pilliod said the
ASUO has resubmitted all the measures that
were rejected by the court.
“All of them -got rejected — not because
they are bad measures — but because they
were either poorly worded or not in the right
form,” she said.
Ballot Measure 6.15.1 would give PFG a
one-time exemption to the 7 percent budget
limitation to include ASUO programs previ
ously funded via ballot measures. The refer
endum system that allowed groups to receive
incidental fees via ballot measure was
changed last year in the wake of a U.S.
Supreme Court decision.
Ballot Measure 6.15.2 would give the ADFC
a one-time exemption to include two pre-sea
son football games in the budget. The increase
would be capped at 9.5 percent.
Pre-season football tickets are usually paid
with the budget surplus or McArthur Court
fund; however, neither funding source can af
ford the tickets in 2003-04.
Pilliod said the increases would likely not
increase the amount students pay in inciden
tal fees, especially if enrollment increases. To
help offset the increase, the ASUO is also plan
ning to recommend a $5 increase in summer
Turn to Special, page 8
Signing off
Sentiment
about war and
patriotism has
been high in
Eugene recently,
as evidenced
by this odd
juxtaposition on
University street
by the EMU.
Adam Amato
Emerald
Political fairs
will showcase
candidates
ASUO will host two political fairs to help inform
students about ballot measures and candidates
Caron Alarab
Freelance Reporter
Students will have a unique opportunity to meet and greet at
least seven politicians today, in addition to getting a more in
formed view on various ballot measures Thursday.
—ASUO i^QStMJgja„Oandickte Fair in the EMU Lobby from
noon to 2 p.m. today, and a Ballot Measure Fair on Thursday, also
from noon to 2 p.m. Depending on weather, Thursday’s fair will
be held in either the EMU Lobby or the EMU Amphitheater.
“Our biggest challenge was finding a time and day that works for
everyone,” ASUO State Affairs Coordinator Adam Petkun said.
The fair offers students and community members the opportu
mty to meet some _
of the candidates
running in the Nov.
5 elections. Con
firmed candidates
for the fair include
Democrats Tony
Corcoran, Vicki
"When we vote,
they really do listen "
Adam Petkun
ASUO State Affairs Coordinator
Walker, Robert Aekerman and Moyd rrozanksi. Republicans
David Alsup and Greg McNeill, and Libertarian Jay Bozievieh.
Looking forward to seeing how students and candidates in
teract, Petkun said the best thing about the fair is the number of
candidates who were eager to attend.
“When we vote, they really do listen,” he said. Because of the
high number of candidates Petkun contacted, he said he ex
pects more than the confirmed number will attend.
The Ballot Measure Fair will include both proponents and
opponents of four ballot measures. Participating groups will
staff information tables at the fair, allowing students and
community members to pick up literature and ask questions
regarding the measures.
“We tried to find everyone possible,” said ASUO legislative
associate Steffan Myers, who has been planning for the event
and contacting potential participants since the campaign
Turn to ASUO, page 8
Weather
Today: High 63, Low 35,
sunny with patchy morning fog
Thursday: High 60, Low 38,
area of low clouds, then sun
Looking ahead
Thursday
A campus stuttering support
group reaches out to media
Friday
Mentoring program lets MEChA
members preserve their culture
Mannix makes education high priority
Kevin Mannix opposes the
income tax package as a way
of reviving educational funding
Oregon votes 2002
Brad Schmidt
City/State Politics Reporter
Republican gubernatorial candidate Kevin
Mannix knows that the entire Legislative sys
tem revolves around a system of checks and
balances. But for the former state representa
tive, that system doesn’t stop, even when he
heads home.
“I have a vital communications link with my
own three children,” Mannix said. “They keep
me on my toes and they keep me energized.”
And, according to Mannix, they keep him in
touch with today’s students.
Among the many topics on his platform, the
need to better fund Oregon’s educational system
ranks high on his list.
“I am the only candidate who has been will
ing to attach a price tag to what we need to do
to bring excellence to the state system of higher
education, and the only candidate who is com
mitted to paying that price,” said Mannix, a
lawyer of 28 years. “I recognize that higher ed
ucation has to be a priority area, and I have giv
en it that priority.”
In giving it that attention, Mannix has tried to
dispel the idea that an income tax package is
needed to revive educational funding and the
economy. In fact, Mannix said he believes imple
menting the January tax package could leave the
state in shambles.
“We will be able to protect funding for edu
cation and public safety if we institute some
other emergency reforms in state govern
ment,” he said. “An income tax increase dur
ing a recession is a bad idea — it weakens our
capabilities to strengthen the economy. It also
takes more money out of the pockets of tax
payers at the times when they most need their
own money.”
Mannix said he believes the Legislature should
consider approving a package that was put to
gether a few years ago that would invest $350
million into higher education. Mannix added he
Turn to Mannix, page 8