LET TERS
OBVIOUS CHOICE
I’m writing to urge Ward 1 voters to
vote for Emily Semple. Endorsed by George
Brown, Betty Taylor and Pete Sorenson,
Emily Semple is the obvious choice.
As a mother of two and the owner of a
graphic arts business, Semple understands
hard work and the needs of working people
and struggling families. She also sees that
Eugene has a shortage of affordable hous-
ing. Her concerns extend to the most vul-
nerable in our community, those who have
fallen through society’s safety nets and
now live without shelter.
I met Emily five years ago when she
was working on a project to slow down
foreclosures on local homes. As we spoke,
I found her easy to talk to and engaging.
She listens intently, hears what people say
and thinks about issues with a great deal
of creativity. Since we first met, I have
worked with her on several projects, and
have found her to be focused and tireless.
If you have been unhappy with the way
the city has dealt with issues such as Kesey
Square, MUPTE, transportation and zon-
ing, vote for Emily Semple for Ward 1. She
will work to make city government fairer
and more transparent.
Vickie Nelson
Eugene
VALUE EDUCATION
The Lane Community College Board
of Education unanimously endorsed Ballot
Measure 97 at its September meeting. We
strongly encourage all Lane County voters
to vote yes on this important measure. Be-
low is our statement:
Whereas the state of Oregon faces
an historic revenue shortfall in the 2017-
18 biennium which may require massive
spending cuts to education and social ser-
vices in order to balance the state budget,
the Lane Community College Board of
Directors resolves to formally endorse and
urge community support of Measure 97.
In doing so, the Lane Community Col-
lege Board joins the “A Better Oregon”
coalition effort to raise the corporate mini-
mum tax on the largest corporations doing
business in Oregon — corporations with
more than $25 million in Oregon sales —
HOT AIR SOCIETY
to fund education and social services in
Oregon.
We know Oregonians value educa-
tion. That’s why we hope you will join us
in voting yes for Ballot Measure 97.
Sharon Stiles
Chair, LCC Board of Education
Eugene
CORPORATE ARGUMENTS
It has started. The lies and misinfor-
mation about Measure 97 have hit the air-
ways. Any time there is a piece of legisla-
tion or initiative that attempts to cut into
record profits or make the wealthiest pay
more for schools, roads, health care, etc.,
the same tired arguments pop up.
Raise the minimum wage? Oh no, it
will kill jobs. Give sick leave to workers?
Businesses will leave the state. Make the
largest corporations pay their fair share
in taxes? It will hurt poor people because
businesses will pass it on to consumers.
The time has come for people to see
through these lies and predictions of eco-
nomic catastrophe. When Oregonians
passed Measures 66 and 67 in 2010 that
raised taxes on the wealthiest Oregonians,
they said: “hidden sales tax,” it hurts
citizens the most, especially the poorest
citizens. Sound familiar? Both measures
passed, and they helped our state dig out
from one of the deepest recessions in our
history.
Trying to figure out which way to vote
on Measure 97? Just follow the money.
Wells Fargo, one of the largest contribu-
tors against Measure 97, made $86 billion
in revenue and $23 billion in profits last
year. They were recently caught ripping
off millions from their customers. But pay
their fair share in taxes? No way. Comcast
has given $315,000 to No on 97 but owes
the state $120 million in unpaid property
taxes.
Ask yourself: Whom do I believe,
teachers, nurses, firemen, etc., or Bank of
America, Monsanto, Comcast and Wells
Fargo? Then vote yes on 97.
Pete Mandrapa
Eugene
BY TON Y CORCOR A N
Oregonians: Is this Bud for you?
NO VOTING RECORD, NO PLAN
I
don’t know about you, dear reader, but the political season always makes me ner-
vous behind the steering wheel. Every two years here in the 4th Congressional
District, I used to have an involuntary fight-or-flight reaction to any vehicles
sporting an “Art Robinson” bumper sticker. I’d slam on the brakes and elude,
just in case the driver was preparing for the Rapture at any moment.
I can only imagine what’s in the enraptured minds of the owners of the “Trump
that Bitch” sticker I saw recently on a Ford SUV in Cottage Grove. Anyway, I’m over
my Art Robinson paranoia now that he’s running for the fourth time against Peter
“the Wolfman” DeFazio.
Welcome back, students. Hope you made a lot of money this summer. You’re go-
ing to need it when the Oregon Legislature gets back in session next February saddled
with a $1.3 billion biennial shortfall. That’s the problem with an overreliance on vol-
atile personal income tax to fund education, human services and public safety: When
our economy slowed, there was less tax revenue available than anticipated back in
early 2015, when legislators created the current 2015-17 budget.
As for the presidential race, I’m guessing you’ve got that circus figured out, so I’m
going to ignore it for now. For the next couple of weeks I’m going to focus on down
ticket races here in Oregon. These races will have a direct impact on future tuition
increases, K-12 funding, senior and disabled programs, and public safety.
So forget your disgust, hold your nose and vote. Don’t let the top of the ticket
deter you. It’s too important, especially this year.
Let’s start with the governor’s race: incumbent Cautious Kate Brown vs. Bud “No
Plan” Pierce. You can stream their Sept. 24 Bend debate on KGW.com. But I watched
it for you to save you the pain.
Kate’s a known political commodity. I served with her in the Oregon House and
Senate. She took Democrats from a minority to a majority during her tour as Senate
Democratic leader. She’s pro-choice, pro-education funding and pro-Measure 97.
And Brown just got a $250,000 campaign contribution from former New York
mayor Michael Bloomberg for her support of stronger background checks on
firearms. That move also prompted gun nuts to hang her in effigy at the Capitol last
week. She has a voting record.
Bud Pierce is illusive. He’s never run for public office. He can say anything he
wants; he has no voting record. Sound like someone else you’ve heard lately? He’s a
physician willing to spend $1.5 million of his own fortune to convince you he has a
better mousetrap, but he won’t describe his plan.
And like Republican physicians Monica Wehby and Knute Buehler before him,
4
October 6, 2016 • eugeneweekly.com
Pierce considered it beneath him to run for some lower form of public office — be it
school board or city council or the legislature — before stepping in front of the line
and running for statewide office straight out of the chute. Really? Maybe he had one
too many shots at the genius bar?
In March of 2016, before Oregon’s primary, Bud endorsed Trump. Then, after the
primary, moving to the center, Bud began equivocating. In an August radio interview
he refused to repudiate Trump, even after the infamous Mexican criminal and “Obama
created ISIS” comments. He told his host he only supported Trump because Trump
won the primary and he (Bud) is a loyal Republican.
But wait, there’s more. On Sept. 24 OPB reported: “In A Reversal, Oregon
Republican Candidate For Governor (Pierce) Dumps Trump.” Apparently, Bud’s
party loyalty is trumped by The Donald’s propensity for driving away Hispanic
voters. Oregon’s population is 12 percent Hispanic, the 14th largest
Hispanic statewide population share nationally. Hispanic
voters are a growing force in Oregon politics. Bud
still hasn’t repudiated any of Trump’s positions,
just the candidate. Come on, man!
Bud offers nothing on PERS other than to
attack public employees. He opposes Measure
97 with no alternative revenue plan in mind. His
thoughts on land use reform mirror the Bundy broth-
ers’ Malheur philosophy: Return all federal lands to
the states and counties, even if they can’t maintain
them, so they can sell it all to the highest bidder.
“Prosperity Without a Plan” ought to be the Repub-
lican mantra this cycle. Blaming Kate for 25 years of
the Republican Legislature’s neglect for public educa-
tion funding is clear evidence of Pierce’s political na-
ïveté. If you’re a progressive, this Bud’s not for you.
Former state Sen. Tony Corcoran of Cottage Grove is a retired state
employee.
Next week: Brad Avakian and Dennis Richardson,
the scariest man in Oregon, in the race for Oregon
secretary of state.