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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 1, 2002)
State Senate, 4th District Republican David Alsup A1 s u p ’ s platform is pro-logging. Not only will logging help reduce for est fires, but the Drain native adds that the in dustry has the potential to help save education. Alsup said he’d like to see 20 per cent of logging revenues go to help local schools. And while Alsup would work to help fund education, his primary focus is on K-12. The Republican, the youngest of 14 children, said representing District 4 wouldn’t be a chal lenge, especially because of his skills in communication. Alsup believes he is well-suit ed to represent District 4, and plans to involve students if electd to office. Democrat Tony Corcoran Corcoran currently holds the state’s Dis trict 4 Sen ate seat and would like nothing more than to see voters continue backing him come Nov. 5. Corcoran supports cleareut ting as a way to prevent forest fires and is also pro-education. But the Cottage Grove resident thinks it’s time politicians start making wise choices. Upset with the state’s current economic situation, Corcoran said it’s time to scrutinize where and how tax dollars are spent. Corcoran believes his experi ence will enable him to repre sent the diverse areas within the district. State House, 8th District Republican Greg McNeill McNeill, a 21-year-old University student ma joring in po litical sci ence, is using youth as a major plat form for his candidacy. Vying to represent the Uni versity and rural parts of Lane County in District 8, McNeill has focused on education as a top priority. McNeill said he’d like to see the state model its higher educa tional system around ideas used in Pennsylvania and added that he relates better to students be cause he is one. McNeill has asked voters to look beyond partylines in mak ing their decisions and vote for the person best suited to repre sent District 8. Democrat Floyd Prozanski Prozanski is seeking re election after losing his Dis trict 40 seat, which he held for 6 years, because of term limits. The rules on term limits and the state’s district boundaries have been re done, leaving Prozanski excited about the possibilities. Student issues and educational debt are issues Prozanski says he’s willing to fight for. He said he’d like to see a statewide tuition freeze and added that he’s not opposed to some form of dedicated funding— perhaps through sales, gross re ceipts or an added value tax. Prozanski said he’d hit the ground running if elected, and has asked vot ers to look at both candidates’ abili ties in choosing a representative. Governor Libertarian Tom Cox The only third-party candidate running for governor, Cox has cen tered his campaign around a sim ple concept: Less is more. Cox identifies himself as a fis cal conservative who’s socially tolerant. He has built his platform around bringing more accounta bility to government and reduc ing costs, while at the same time defending individual rights. On higher education, Cox would use the money gleaned from government accountability to create a allowance for each student so he or she can decide where to go to school, whether it be in Oregon or somewhere out-of-state. Democrat Ted Kulongoski A candi date who’s served in all three branches of the state government, Kulongoski has based his platform on building teams of people in government to work to gether to solve tough issues. He has also distanced himself from his op ponent Kevin Mannix by defending social issues such as abortion rights , gay rights and physician-as | sisted suicide. Kulongoski’s top priorities would include making Oregon more attractive for potential em ployers, rebuilding the state’s in frastructure and creating an edu cation endowment fund to help students pay for school. Republican Kevin Mannix M a n n i x has based a campaign around fis cal issues, including funding higher edu I cation and tinkering with the state budget. The Republican has defined himself in the race by focusing on specific ways to change state gov ernment if elected, including modifying the Oregon Health Plan and injecting higher educa tion with $350 million over the next few years. Mannix said by accounting for every dollar spent in govern ment, he could easily add fund ing to higher education and en sure affordability for students. U.S. Senate Democrat Bill Bradbury Oregon’s current secre tary of state is counting, in part, on stu dent support to catapult him into the U.S. Senate. Bradbury, who went into the Senate race as an underdog against a well-established incum bent, has built his campaign around accountability. He said he would make both the govern ment and corporations more ac countable for their actions and would also press hard to defend Oregon’s Death With Dignity law. A former small-business owner and television journalist, Brad bury has relied on the support of longtime political supporters such as Gov. John Kitzhaber to fuel him in his race. Bradbury said he would fight to increase Pell Grant funding. Republican Gordon Smith An in cumbent in the Senate, Smith has based his campaign on coalition building, strengthen ing Oregon’s economy and improv ing schools in Oregon. One of his most notable suc cesses was Smith’s ability to form a partnership with Sen. Ron Wyden. Smith lost to Wyden in a closely contested bit ter Oregon race for the U.S. Sen ate, but then bounced back from the loss, befriended Wyden and ran again when Oregon’s other Senate seat became open. For higher education, Smith also backs increasing student grants and said he would fight for research grants and other aid at Oregon’s universities. U.S. House Democrat Peter DeFazio DeFazio, a U.S. Con gressman since he was elected to the 4th District seat in 1986, appeals to voters on a “grassroots” level. A resident of Springfield, DeFazio said he has built a series of success ful congressional races on his ap proachable demeanor, his willing ness to represent his community regardless of the political cost and his support for government pro grams and higher education. DeFazio, who holds the late Sen. Wayne Morse as his ideal role model, said he follows Morse by making decisions with an open mind and a clear conscience, such as his recent “no” vote on a popular congressional resolution that granted President George W. Bush authority to wage war in Iraq if necessary. Republican Liz VanLeeuwen VanLeeu wen, a nine term repre sentative in the Oregon Legislature, is hoping to connect with voters who believe in her in tegrity. A rural Oregonian, VanLeeuwen has emphasized her role as a busi nesswoman, teacher and farmer, and is banking on her life experi ence to appeal to voters in Oregon’s 4th District, which represents one fifth of the state. VanLeeuwen’s key issues include bringing common sense to government and solving funding problems by using timber revenues. On student issues, Van Leeuwen said she’s confident any student who wants to attend school can find a way, and added that she’d use timber revenues to fund higher education in Oregon. 20-67 — Four-year local option tax for youth/school based services The measure asks voters to help fund youth and school-based activities cut by state budget shortfalls. If the measure is approved, property taxes could increase by more than three percent. The levy would raise more than 830 million for local schools by 2007. Supports of the levy say it will restore vital activities for today’s youth. Opponents say the Legislature should think before making cuts; passing the buck to voters gives Salem the easy way out. 20-68— Housekeeping amendments to Eugene City Charter The city has asked voters whether it should update language, im prove readability and delete obsolete provisions in the City Charter. Proponents of the measure say the changes improve the Char ter’s flow and usefulness. There was no organized opposition to this measure. 20-69— Ethics and conflicts of interest Charter amendment Measure 20-69 would require the City Council to adopt a code of ethics that would prevent elected officials from discussing, debat ing or voting on matters from which they, or their relatives, could financially gain. If intentional, the violation could result in removal from office. Supports of the measure say it will create a sense of understanding and trust between city officials and community members. There was no organized opposition to this measure. 20-70—Department head hiring/firing Charter amendment This measure asks voters whether the city manager should be re quired to report to the City Council after hiring, promoting or firing in dividuals. Currendy, the manager is not required to do so. Those in favor of the measure say it gives the council more insight into city decisions, allowing councilors to better evaluate the City Manager. There was no organized opposition to this measure. 20-71 — City attorney Charter Amendment Of all the measures that would affect city officials, Measure 20 71 has caused the biggest controversy. The measure would re quire the manager to appoint and staff a city attorney by July 1, 2005. Proponents of the measure say an in-house lawyer would pro vide oversight and work toward the city’s best interests. Those in opposition say that an in-house attorney isn’t needed and point to history as proof. For more than 25 years, they say, the city has been fine without its own attorney. 20-72— Filling of eouneil/mayor vacancies Charter amendment In the event that an elected city official leaves office, this meas ure asks voters whether an election should be held during any year, rather than only during even years. Currently, the council appoints someone to fill a vacant position within 90 days, and the length of time the person stays in office depends on when the va cancy occurred. Supporters of the measure say it reduces the maximum time that could be served by an appointee. They also say that the fi nancial burden to hold a special election would be small and that the implications make the measure well worth it. There was no or ganized opposition to this measure. 20-73 — Liability for unauthorized expenditure Charter amendment If city officials knowingly spend money without authorization or through gross negligence, should they personally be held respon sible? That is the question voters have been asked in Measure 20 73. The measure would also permit that city officials be subject to removal from office. Those in favor of the measure say it will hold those who are grossly negligent accountable for their actions while also protect ing those who make mistakes through ignorance. There was no or ganized opposition to this measure. 20-74 — Ordinance adoption and effective date Charter Amendment This measure would revise provisions for city ordinances. It would require the City Council to hold a public hearing, require the city to provide public notice at least 10 days before the hearing and would require the city to post the proposed ordinance on its Web site at least 10 days before the hearing. Proponents of the measure say the changes would provide bet ter public notice and information about the ordinances. There was no organized opposition to this measure. 20-75 — initiated ordinance Charter amendment Measure 20-75 would protect ordinances adopted by voters from revisions without a unanimous vote by the City Council. This provi sion would add a new section to the Charter. Currently, the council can amend or repeal any voter ordinance. Supporters of the measure say it would create a way for citizens to initiate laws and protect them from City Council tampering. There was no organized opposition to this measure. 20-51 — Lane County Jail improvements general obligation bonds The measure asks voters to provide funds to remodel parts of the Lane County jail. The project would expand the county’s in take center to 100 beds and renovate the jail’s medical unit and mechanical systems. If the measure is approved, property taxes would increase to $10.7 million for the work. Supporters of the levy say voters should support the jail improvements, which will allow the county to do a better job of processing inmates in what they say are crowded facilities. Opponents counter that similar measures have failed multi ple times — voters in Lane County have better ways to spend their money, they say. 20-60 — Lane County public safety emergency communi cations general obligation bonds The measure asks voters to consider providing county emergency services with new radio technology to serve areas that aren’t completely covered by the communications gear the county currently has. If bonds are passed, they would use up to $10.35 million to pay for the new microwave communi cations system. Supporters of the measure say voters should give the county much-needed equipment. They say the current communication holes in the system constitute a safety hazard, and say their current systems are based on “60s technology.” There was no organized opposition to this measure. 20-61 — Lane County Courthouse and plaza access gen eral obligation bonds The measure asks voters to consider adding access improve ments to the Lane County Courthouse. The levy would use up to $6.38 million in bonds to remodel parts of the current courthouse,” including building a new sheriffs service desk and adding new se curity measures to the building. Supporters say in paid statements in the voters’ pamphlet that renovation for the building is long overdue, and add the current structure is unable to properly accommodate the dis abled. There was no organized opposition to this measure. 20-62 — Lane County park improvements general obliga tion bonds The measure asks voters to consider supporting major park renovations and acquisitions county-wide. The levy would spend up to $20.7 million in bond money to build new youth parks, marinas and campgrounds and to develop exist ing parks. Supporters say in paid statements in the voters’ pamphlet that it’s high time to fund county parks, which one group calls a “dia mond in the rough.” There was no organized opposition to this measure. Vote continued from page 5A ASUO hit its registration goal, State Affairs Coordina tor Adam Petkun said this year’s registration campaign was one week shorter and off-year elections usually are characterized by a lack of voter interest. Null and void? The power of the youth vote will be most felt when stu dent leaders lobby legislators in Salem. When the Oregon Legislature reconvenes in January, the state government may face a deficit of more than $ 1 billion, forcing legislators to make tough budget decisions. Higher voter turnout will make it easier for student lobbyists to persuade officials to vote with the students’ best interests in mind. “The more students vote, the more legislators will listen to them. Legislators listen to people who vote,” said Melissa Unger, legislative affairs director for the Oregon Student As sociation, a group that represents students at nine major colleges and universities across the state. Unger said the high student turnout during the 2000 election brought a few legislative victories for Oregon’s students, including funding the Oregon Opportunity Grant and the child care block grant. ASUO representatives understand their job in Salem will be much harder if students don’t mail in their ballots. “If we come to legislators with low voter turnout num bers, everything after that is null and void,” said Stefan Myers, ASUO legislative associate. Audrey Douglas wonders why more students don’t join her cadre. She points out the group does not have very discriminating tastes, collects no dues and has no spe cial dress code. However, they do hold an exclusive right of citizens everywhere. “If you don’t vote, then you don’t have a right to com plain about the government,” she said. “And I think everybody should have that right.” John Liebhardt is a freelance writer for the Emerald. SOURCE: Federal Elections Commission 20-63 — Lane County public health building general obliga tion bonds The measure asks voters to consider moving the county’s pub lic health services from the County Annex to a new building. The levy would use up to $29.9 million in property tax increases to pay for the construction. Supporters say in paid statements in the voters’ pamphlet that county needs the new building to provide health services, especially to respond to disasters after events like the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. There was no organized opposition to this measure. 20-65—Lane County Planetarium and Learning Center gen eral obligation bonds The measure asks voters to consider building a new planetarium and learning center at the Lane County Fairgrounds. The old struc ture, located near Autzen Stadium, would be replaced by the new, larger facilities by using up to $ 10 million in bonds. Supporters say in paid statements in the voters’ pamphlet that if the new center is not supported, the old planetarium is in danger of being “mothballed.” There was no organized opposition to this measure. State measures 14 — Amends Constitution: Removes historical racial ref erences in obsolete sections of Oregon Constitution, Article VII (original), Article XVIII. Measure 14 would remove references to the state’s “white population,” “white” inhabitants, “free Negroes” and “mulat tos” in the Oregon Constitution. No arguments in favor of or in opposition to this measure were filed. 15 — Amends Constitution: Authorizes state to issue gen eral obligation bond for seismic rehabilitation of public ed ucation buildings. Ballot Measure 15 would allow the state to issue general obli gation bonds to retrofit or reinforce public education buildings to withstand earthquakes. The Oregon Legislature would use taxes, lottery proceeds, tobacco settlement funds or other rev enue sources to repay the debt. The measure would limit debt amount to .2 percent of real market value of all property in the state. Property taxes wouldn’t be used in the repayment. Proponents argue that, because recent studies show a pat tern of big earthquakes in Oregon, upgrading buildings to be earthquake-proof would save lives. Opponents argue the measure could raise taxes other than property taxes. 16 — Amends Constitution: Authorizes state to issue gener al obligation bonds for seismic rehabilitation of emergency services buildings. Ballot Measure 16 would allow the state to issue general ob ligation bonds to retrofit or reinforce public education build ings to withstand earthquakes. The Oregon Legislature would use taxes, lottery proceeds, tobacco settlement funds or oth er revenue sources to repay the debt. Measure would limit amount of indebtedness to one-fifth of one percent of real market value of all property in the state. Proponents argue that an increased earthquake risk in Ore gon makes it necessary to reinforce old emergency facilities, which were not built to withstand a major earthquake. There was no organized opposition to this measure. 17 —Amends Constitution: Reduces minimum age require ment to serve as state legislator from 21 years to 18 years. Ballot Measure 17 would allow a person at least 18 years old to run for the Oregon House of Representatives and the Ore gon Senate. Proponents argue that because people who are 18 years old are able to serve in the military, vote and pay taxes, they should also be able to run for the Oregon Legislature. Opponents argue the New Testament warns not to make novices into leaders, and that anybody who’s 18 years old is considered a newcomer and ineligible for government. 18 — Amends Constitution: Allows certain tax districts to es tablish permanent property tax rates and divide into tax zones. Ballot Measure 18 would allow local taxing districts that have not imposed property taxes for any tax year — beginning on or after July 1, 1990 — to ask district voters to establish a perma nent property tax rate limit for the district or establish tax zones within the district. Each zone would have a different tax rate limit. No arguments in favor of or in opposition to this measure were filed. 21 — Amends Constitution: Revises procedure for filling ju dicial vacancies, electing judges; allows vote for “None of the Above.” Ballot Measure 21 would amend the Oregon Constitution to require that in all judicial elections “None of the Above” be listed as an official candidate in addition to all other candidates. The candidate who receives the most votes in the election, regard less of the percentage, unless it is “None of the Above,” would be elected to the position, and there would be no runoff election. If more votes are cast for “None of the Above” than any other can didate, special elections must be held in succeeding May and No vember elections until the position is filled by a candidate other than “None of the Above.” Proponents argue the measure would make judges more ac countable and allow Oregon citizens to respond to court deci sions. Opponents argue the measure would compromise the right to a speedy trial because courtrooms could potentially be empty as citizens awaited a winning judge, as well as waste mon ey via multiple elections. 22 — Amends Constitution: Requires Oregon Supreme Court judges and Oregon Court of Appeals judges to be elected by district. Ballot Measure 22 would amend the Oregon Constitution to require that judges of the Oregon Supreme Court and the Ore gon Court of Appeals be elected by judicial district. Under cur rent law, the judges of the Oregon Supreme Court and the Ore gon Court of Appeals are elected on a statewide basis. Proponents argue that it’s important to elect judges with a range of experiences and backgrounds to ensure Oregon courts have judges who don’t come from one region and share the same philosophy. Opponents argue the measure would deprive Ore gonians of the right to elect the highest quality judges regardless of their location. 23 — Creates a health care finance plan for medically nec essary services; creates additional income, payroll taxes. Ballot Measure 23 would create the Oregon Comprehensive Health Care Finance Plan to pay for medically necessary health services for all Oregon residents, as well as establish by rule eli gibility criteria for persons working in Oregon but residing else where, effective January 1, 2005. The plan would be funded by new individual progressive income and payroll taxes and trans fers to the fund of all federal, state and local governmental health payments. The measure further allows new revenue bonds to be issued if the income and payroll taxes are insufficient to fund the plan, and replaces Medicare, Medicaid and the medical coverage of worker’s compensation and automobile insurance. Proponents argue that a small, progressive income and payroll tax would be a small price to pay for providing health care to Oregonians — more than 423,000 of whom currently are not in sured. Opponents argue the measure would create a flawed sys tem where the government retains control of health care and in dividual tax bills raised as much as 825,000. 24 — Allows licensed denturists to install partial dentures (replacement teeth); Authorizes cooperative dentist-denturist business ventures. Ballot Measure 24 would change current law to allow licensed denturists to install removable upper and lower partial dentures to replace missing natural teeth. Current law allows licensed denturists to install only removable upper and lower full den tures, while only dentists are allowed to install partial upper or lower dentures that replace individual teeth with perma nent or removable dental appliances. Proponents argue denture patients should have the freedom to choose where they receive their denture services and shouldn’t have to pay a third more because the law requires only dentists install partial dentures. Opponents argue the measure does not guarantee denturists will give the same ad vice and diagnosis for partial dentures that dentists would give. Partial dentures involve the incorporation of natural teeth, which opponents argue dentists are more qualified to do because of their advanced academic and clinical education. 25 — Increases Oregon minimum wage to $6.90 in 2003; increases for inflation in future years. Ballot Measure 25 would amend Oregon statutes to increase the state minimum hourly wage to $6.90 for calendar year 2003. For calendar year 2004 and beyond, the measure would require the minimum hourly wage to be adjusted annually for inflation. Under current state law, the state minimum hourly wage is set at $6.50 and is not adjusted for inflation. Proponents argue that full time minimum wage earners only make $13,500 per year, and many of those workers have fam ilies to support. Opponents argue that Oregon has one of the highest minimum wage limits in the United States, and in creasing it would only further boost Oregon’s high unemploy ment rate. 26 — Amends Constitution: Prohibits payment or receipt of payment based on the number of initiative and referendum pe tition signatures obtained. Ballot Measure 26 would make it unlawful to pay or receive money or any other thing of value based on the number of sig natures obtained on an initiative or referendum petition. Cur rent law does not limit the ways in which persons sponsoring initiative and referendum petitions may pay for signature gathering. This measure makes it unlawful to pay money or anything of value for signature gathering activities when such payment is based on the number of signatures obtained. Proponents argue the measure would take away the incen tive for fraud, forgery and identity theft when signature gath erers collective signatures for initiatives. Opponents argue the measure would hurt the ability for grassroots to be involved in elections because, while corporations can afford to hire full time signature gatherers, grassroots organizations prefer us ing a small per-signature incentive to supplement volunteers. 27 — Requires labeling of genetically-engineered foods sold or distributed in or from Oregon. Ballot Measure 27 would require, by statute, that all foods and beverages distributed in or from Oregon, created from or with GE materials, to be labeled as such. The labeling requirements would apply to all foods and bev erages in the following categories: foods containing more than one-tenth of one percent GE material by weight; foods derived from or prepared with GE material, whether or not that mate rial is present in the final product; foods grown using GE agri cultural inputs; dairy and meat products derived from animals that have been fed GE feed or feed additives; and products de rived from animals treated with GE hormones or drugs, re gardless of whether they are present in the final product. Proponents argue Oregonians should be informed if the food they are eating — which they say could be toxic and compro mise immune system responses — contains genetically-engi neered ingredients. Opponents argue the Food and Drug Ad ministration reviews crops created with biotechnology to ensure they are safe, so a measure that would cost taxpayers more than $118 million over the next 10 years is unnecessary.
