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About Northwest labor press. (Portland , Ore.) 1987-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 15, 2008)
LaborDay-08 (15-28):NWLP 8/12/08 8:41 AM Page 20 H a p p y L a b o r D a y ! ...Ballot measures attack unions Could a REVERSE MORTGAGE Work for You? Imagine a Payment Free, Financially-Secure Retirement. • Supplement Your Retirement Income. • No Debt Passes to Your Heirs. • You Maintain Ownership and Title. T URN Y OUR H OME E QUITY I NTO C ASH , L INE OF C REDIT , M ONTHLY I NCOME OR A C OMBINATION OF P LANS . Talk with Lynn or Julie, the Reverse Mortgage Specialists at: Lynn Russell OR ML-4194WA 510-MB-30380 360-694-7272 or 1-866-684-7272 205 East 11th Street, Suite 104, Vancouver, Washington (From Page 19) corrections members are concerned that Measure 61 would lead to prison overcrowding, which puts corrections personnel in greater danger. Plus, Botkin said, many property crimes are motivated by addiction. “Our mem- bers understand that without drug and alcohol treatment, it’s a revolving door.” AFSCME and other unions are supporting Measure 57 — an alterna- tive referred by the Oregon Legislature — which toughens some sentences but also requires alcohol and drug treat- ment. M EASURE 62: Constitutional amendment to allocate 15 percent of lottery proceeds to a public safety fund for crime prevention, investigation, prosecution. In accord with previous ballot measures approved by voters, lottery funds — currently about $700 million a year — go to economic de- velopment, education, and parks and natural resources. If this passes, about $100 million a year would be taken away from K-12 education and eco- nomic development and given to the state crime lab, early childhood pro- grams, district attorneys, and county sheriffs, according to a formula written by Mannix. Education advocates op- pose the shift, and so does AFSCME; Botkin notes that the money goes for investigation and prosecution, but not for incarceration, “the ultimate public safety program.” M EASURE 63 : Exempts residen- tial and farm property owners from re- quirements to obtain building, plumb- ing, electrical or mechanical permits or inspections for improvements valued at under $35,000 in any calendar year. “This is a poorly-written initiative that undermines the whole reason we have building codes and permit processes,” says Chris West of Pac/West Commu- nications. Pac/West, a lobby firm em- ployed by some building trades unions, is forming a coalition to op- pose the measure — Citizens Against Unsafe Housing. The group is backed Working together—hand in hand You work hard for the well-being of your family and this community we’re proud to call home. That’s why we’re dedicated to helping you be the healthiest you can be. At Regence, we’re more than your health care company—we’re your neighbors. by building trades unions, home builders and remodelers, realtors, in- surance companies, public employees, and firefighters. Permits and inspec- tions are about making sure homes are safe, West said, and making sure that they last. Eliminating permit and in- spection requirements could under- mine industry wages and standards, and open up a world of opportunity for shoddy, unlicensed and unscrupulous contractors. If a project overlapped a calendar year, West points out, projects could be valued at up to $70,000 with- out any permit. “This is an attack on those who have been trained and li- censed to provide quality homes for Oregonians,” West said, “but it’s also an attack on the wellbeing of owners, who won’t know they’re at risk from unpermitted, uninspected work.” Home inspectors employed by home buyers won’t know if work done be- hind sheet rock was to code, for exam- ple. And uninspected work would in- crease risks for insurers. AFSCME’s Botkin says the local building inspec- tors her union represents are also op- posed to the measure, out of concern for public safety. “Building permits are there for a reason,” Botkin said, “to make sure it’s built right so your fam- ily and friends and people you sell it to are not at risk.” M EASURE 64: Penalizes person, entity for using funds collected with public resource for political purpose. This measure, sponsored by Bill Size- more, is about making it harder for public employee unions to collect vol- untary political contributions from members who have authorized them. This is now done via electronic payroll deductions, but the measure would ban that, so that union members would have to find a way to contribute on their own. “This measure targets Ore- gonians who are working in public sector — teachers, nurses, and fire- fighters — and takes way their rights,” said OEA spokesperson Uherbelau. Adds AFSCME’s Botkin: “This would really neuter the ability of our mem- bers to participate in the political process.” The voter registration deadline for the November general election is Oct. 14. Ballots will be mailed out Oct. 17 and are due back Nov. 4. Find nutrition and safety tips for your Labor Day Celebration at myRegence.com PAGE 20 NORTHWEST LABOR PRESS AUGUST 15, 2008
