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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