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About Street roots. (Portland, OR) 1998-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 21, 2016)
Page 4 Election 2016 Street Roots • Oct. 21-27, 2016 Street Roots' ballot measure endorsements Street Roots weighs in on local a n d statewide ballot measures relevant to our areas o f news coverage. A ll conclusions were reached with consideration on how the laws will affect people experiencing poverty. Because Street Roots is a 501c3 nonprofit, we cannot endorse candidates fo r public office. In the case o f measures not included, we are taking a neutral stance. Statewide measures MEASURE 9 9 MEASURE 9 6 Creates Outdoor School Education Fund, continuously funded through lottery, to provide outdoor school programs statewide Amends Constitution: Dedicates 1.5 percent of state lottery net proceeds to support services for Oregon veterans f YES he Outdoor School provides vital experiences for Oregon youths and reinforces statewide values around our environment and natural resources. It shouldn’t be taken for granted, and the opportunity should be available to all students, rich and poor, regardless of their school district B YES his money will go toward reintegration, employment, education benefits and tuition, as well as housing, physical and mental health care and addiction treatment programs for veterans. It also will assist veterans and their dependents in accessing unused state and federal benefits to the tune of $4 billion, according to the Oregon State Legislature, which referred the measure to the ballot This $9.3 million annual investment will ensure the 350,000 Oregonians who served their country will have every opportunity to recover from that experience and access education. It will go toward alleviating the abysmal unemployment rate among returning veterans and reduce the often tragic wait times for service people seeking health care. T MEASURE 1 0 0 Prohibits purchase or sale of parts or products from certain wildlife species; exceptions; civil penalties YES f there is any Oregonian who needs an endorsement to decide how to vote, on this measure, they’re in the wrong state. Our coast has become a port for trafficking endangered animal parts, including from rhinoceroses, elephants, tigers, sea turtles, leopards and others. Currently, state law only prohibits the sale of shark fins. This goes to the next critical and long-overdue step. Vote yes to join Washington and California in implementing stricter laws, and solidifying the West Coast as an obstacle to traffickers. I MEASURE 9 7 Increases corporate minimum tax when sales exceed $25 million; funds education, health care, senior services YES his is a flawed measure, no question. But it swings the pendulum in the right direction and gives the Legislature a foundation to build upon. It needs to be modified to alleviate potential pressures on lower income residents, particularly regarding the increase of utility costs and health care. But the push has to come from somewhere, and low-income Oregonians are also already bearing the brunt of Oregon’s underfunded public schools and limited access to health care. The rhetoric against this measure contains claims that it’s nothing more than a sales tax, costing Oregonians jobs and money. Opponents cite reports that have been questioned for their methodology. Additionally, corporations are spending tens of millions of dollars to protect their interests, not yours, in opposition to this measure. And their threat of retaliation against consumers by passing the cost down doesn’t ring true in light of national and global market forces. We’re not being idealistic about this. But Oregon, of all sta te s,, shouldn’t continue subsidizing corporate interests while assuming that working-class arid low-income Oregonians will keep picking up the slack. Even with its flaws, it’s the right first step. T 98 Requires state funding for dropout prevention, career and college readiness programs in Oregon high schools YES regon’s rural communities are struggling’ to offer a K-12 education that not only keeps students in school until graduation, but also equips them with the skills needed for real jobs, from the tech industry to trade vocations. Our state’s high school dropout rate is around 30 percent In rural high schools, shop and other technical classes have all but disappeared, Measure 98 dedicates $147 million annually toward career and technical education, although it may be less if revenue forecasts are lowered. School districts would apply for grants with strict performance oversight to access funds. Our children need this. O Multnomah County measures MEASURE 2 6 -1 8 1 Amends charter; extends term limits to three consecutive terms 0 0 YES here is no reason our county officials shouldn’t have the opportunity to go for a third term. Eight years is an arbitrary limit that ties the hands of office holders whose policy platforms often take many years to fully implement. S iB W B B 26^102 Amends charter; commissioners may run for chair midterm without resigning YES his measure applies only to the county chair position. Acounty commissioner running for an elected office midterm other than the chair’s office will remain subject fo the resignation provision. The change would free up candidates for the county chair without automatically jeopardizing their role as representatives. T 1 B II1 I 2 S -1 8 3 Amends charter; changes elected sheriff position to appointed department head YES hile there are soine compelling argunients in favor of elected law enforcement, the ideals neverquitebear fruit in urban centers. If this were a rural county, where local municipalities were W See EN D O RSEM EN TS, page 5
