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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 27, 2004)
Cerlach’s 344-8890 Dot Dotson’s 485 1771 Gerlach’s on Campus 849 E. 13th, Eugene Dot Dotson’s Photo Finishing 1668 Willamette, Eugene 3erlqch& ffd$|*on's run BAR LIVE MUSIC POOL VIDEO POKER DAILY SPECIALS Lunch Tuesday-Friday 11:30-2:00 pm Dinner Tuesday-Saturday beginning at 4 pm JLave Music Tliis Week! Wednesday Jan. 28 • Free Open Mike with Pete Christie All Musicians Welcome Thursday Jan. 29 • Free Christie & McCallum tlonky Tonk/Rock Friday Jan. 30 • $4 Over the Counter Jug Band Acoustic Americana 5aturday Jan. 31 • $3 Mo Fessor flew Orleans Junk & Boogie - (541) 344-8600 • 1626 Willamette. St. MEASURE 30 continued from page 1 Oregon University System spokes woman Di Saunders said if the measure fails, there will be immedi ate cuts of $7.5 million with poten tial for further cuts. Programs may be eliminated and tuition increased. "There's no really good or easy choices of where that money is going to come from within the system," she said. "I think everyone hopes that it won't fail." If the measure passes, Oregon stands to gain $1.2 billion from the entire tax package, more than $800 million coming directly from the in come tax increases alone. If it fails, the state will implement budgets cuts worth $544.6 million in education, human services, health care and public safety. Libertarian Party of Oregon's Exec utive Director Richard Burke doesn't think Measure 30 is the answer to the state's budget woes. "Higher taxes doesn't equal caring," he said. "We can care for people by building a sustainable system." Burke said government expenditure has increased faster than the taxpay ers' ability to pay for it, and that Ore gon's current spending habits are wasteful. Therefore, he said, long-term structural changes in the government are needed to solve the state's finan cial problems — something he said won't happen if Measure 30 passes. "We won't make (changes) if we give them the money," Burke said, adding that the measure was not so much a budget fix as it was a political fix. He said passing the tax would hurt people, such as struggling working families. Rejecting it would also hurt other people, Burke added. "The question is who are we going to hurt?" he said. While Burke said he understands arguments about the need for various services, he said needs are infinite and the state's resources are finite. "If you want to show compassion, we have to do what's necessary to fix the system so we can have money in I Advertise in the ODE classifieds 346-4343 located in Lillis Business Complex MAIN ARGUMENTS FOR MEASURE 30 ■ Approving Measure 30 will prevent: • $284.6 million worth of cuts to K-12 • $14.3 million worth of cuts in higher education • $187.6 million worth of cuts to health and human services • $58.1 million worth of cuts to public safety services SOURCE: Oregon Secretary of State MAIN ARGUMENTS AGAINST MEASURE 30 • $856 million in personal income taxes is excessive • Oregonians will pay $40 million more per year in property taxes due to reductions in the discount for making an early payment • Senior citizens will pay more than $86 million in addition to any income tax increases due to changes in the medical expenses that can be deducted from state taxes • Businesses will pay more money and may be forced to close • The state could balance the budget with current resources • Oregon needs more jobs, not more taxes SOURCES: Oregon Secretary of State and Taxpayers Defense Fund the long run' he said. But Debbie Dorris, spokeswoman for Our Oregon Coalition, a statewide coalition of businesses and other or ganizations, is in favor of the measure. "We truly believe Measure 30 is the way to keep Oregon's economic re covery on track," Dorris said. She added that there would be drastic cuts to health care and education if the measure fails. For instance, schools might have to reduce school days. Parts of the Oregon Health Plan would also be dismantled and health insurance costs would go up, she said. Dorris said opponents' claims that the measure will hurt businesses are not valid. In fact, many small business es are endorsing the measure, she said. Suzy Rice, a University alumna and small-business owner, said she does not support the measure, however. She said she has experienced the ups and downs of the economy and feels further taxation will destroy small businesses. "We can't afford it," she said. Angela Wilhelms, campaign man ager for the Taxpayer Defense Fund, said she also believes Measure 30 should be rejected. "We believe that taxes are the ab solutely worst thing you can do during a recession," she said. She added tax in creases may actually lead to reduced state revenue due to loss of jobs. Wilhelms said some voters do not believe that the state government needs more money and are frustrated that the Oregon Legislature pushed the measure even after voters rejected Measure 28. "They feel that government and legislators are not listening to them," she said. While Wilhelms said she is not in favor of budget cuts in programs like human services and education, she says the government should re-priori tize its spending. "Those programs are being held hostage," she said. "Those cuts don't have to happen." The voters will decide on Feb. 3. Contact the news editor at ayishayahya@daiiyemerald.com. CAMPUS m* m i Tuesday Center for the Study of Women in Society lecture featuring University of Lethbridge anthropologist Catherine Kingfisher, entitled "Welfare Restructur ing and Globalization," EMU Fir Room, 3 p.m.-5:30p.m. Yeon lecture series featuring Portland architect Brad Cloepfil, entitled “New Museums: Anticipa tion and Dissonance," Room 177, Lawrence Hall, 6:30 p.m. “How to Make the Career Fair Work for You," Ca reer Center workshops, EMU, throughout the day. BOOH VOUR TRIP ROW! bime /PRInG BRGflH '04 PRCHRGE/ AIR + HOTEL package prices starting at > LONDON $428 > MIAMI $336 > ROME $627 > AND MORE! Airfare is departure from Portland. Hotel accommodations based on 9 nights (7 for Rome), dorm occupancy. Fare good for * students to 34 (33 for Rome), youths, teachers and spouses with valid ID card. Price is per person, is subiect to availability and taxes are not included. Blackouts and restrictions apply. 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