Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 28, 2016)
OCTOBER 28, 2016, KEIZERTIMES, PAGE A3 It’s decision time for Oregon voters, here’s a primer With ballots making their way to voters, the Keizertimes took a look at some of the ma- jor issues and the local candi- dates in contested races. We are not endorsing any of these measures or candidates in this article, merely presenting a look at the issues and potential effects. STATE MEASURES Measure 97 A “yes” vote would increase Oregon’s corporate minimum tax when sales exceed $25 mil- lion, removes tax limits and increase revenues available for education, healthcare and se- nior services. A “no” vote retains existing tax minimums, including a cap of $100,000. The measure would gener- ate approximately $3 billion per year for every fi scal year begin- ning July 1, 2017. Opponents say some of the costs would be passed on to Oregon consum- ers in the form of higher prices on some consumer goods. Sup- porters claim that the measure is a way to ensure large busi- nesses pay their fair share. While the measure earmarks revenues for three aforemen- tioned areas, attorneys for the state Legislature have said that those could be altered with budget bill amendments that do not require a public vote. Measure 98 A “yes” vote would require the state to fund drop-out pre- vention and career- and col- lege-readiness programs. A “no” vote maintains the status quo. Essentially, the measure would require the state Leg- islature to provide $800 per student to establish or expand high school programs provid- ing career-technical educa- tion, college-level courses, and dropout-prevention strategies. School districts would apply for grants based on need and the Oregon Department of Educa- tion would monitor outcomes. The measure would require an additional $147 million annu- ally to be committed to the re- sulting programs, but does not generate additional income – leaving it to the Legislature to determine future funding. Measure 96 A “yes” vote would dedicate 1.5 percent of state lottery pro- ceeds to veterans services in- cluding employment assistance, education and housing and physical/mental health care. A “no” vote would not earmark the revenues for these purposes. Currently, about 67 percent of state lottery funds are un- dedicated, this measure would earmark revenues for veterans services and potentially increase Oregon’s competitiveness for federal matching funds. Measure 94 A “yes” vote would amend the state constitution and elim- inate mandatory retirement at age 75 for state judges. A “no” vote would retain the manda- tory retirement age. Measure 95 A “yes” vote would allow public universities to invest in equities, stock or securities rep- resenting ownership interest. A “no” vote prevents the institu- tions from investing in equities. The Oregon Legislature already approved such invest- ments in 2013, but a provision in the Oregon Constitution may prohibit it. Measure 99 A “yes” vote creates a dedi- cated fund for outdoor school education fund with revenues from the Oregon State Lottery. The goal would be providing outdoor programming to every fi fth – and sixth-grade student in the state. A “no” vote will keep the outdoor school pro- grams funded as funds are avail- able. The fund would be cre- ated with 4 percent of quar- terly transfers from the state lottery, or about $5.5 million per quarter, with a cap of $22 million. The dedicated fund would not affect other educa- tion programs funded through the lottery. About 67 percent of state lottery funds are currently undedicated Measure 100 A “yes” vote would prohibit the purchase or sale of products – with the exception of specifi c activities, inheritances, certain antiques and musical instru- ments – and imposes penalties up to $6,500 for doing so. A “no” vote would continue to allow the sale of the same items unless the species are native to Oregon. Species affected include: el- ephant, rhinoceros, whale, tiger, lion, leopard, cheetah, jaguar, pangolin, sea turtle, shark (ex- pect for fi ns) and ray. LOCAL MEASURES AND CANDIDATES Measure No. 24-397 A “yes” vote would impose a 3 percent city tax on sales of recreational marijuana within Keizer. A “no” vote rejects the tax. City offi cials have been reticent to offer projections on how much the tax might gen- erate in revenue and the funds are not earmarked for specifi c purposes. According to mjbizdaily. com, a marijuana industry trade publication, the average an- nual revenue reported by dis- pensaries and recreational sales shops was $974 per square foot. Even with a modest estimate of 500 square foot per business, the city stands to reap about $44,000 per year on the sales of Keizer’s three operating mari- juana retailers. Revenue per square foot is a measure of how effi ciently a retailer uses space. Measure No. 24-405 A “yes” vote would allow recreational marijuana busi- nesses to set up shop in unin- corporated areas (outside city limits) of Marion County. A “no” vote would only allow such businesses inside city lim- its. Allowing such businesses in specifi c cities would remain the domain of city councils and voters. The measure was bankrolled by the Oregon Cannabis Busi- ness Council. Measure 24-406 A “yes” vote imposes a 3 percent tax on recreational sales of medical marijuana in Mari- on County. A “no” vote rejects the tax. Revenues from the tax are not earmarked for a particular project or service. Keizer City Council Position 1 Allen Barker and Laura Reid are seeking the same chair on the Keizer City Council. Barker is a retiree with expe- rience in construction and fi - nancial services and is currently a volunteer on the city’s budget committee. Laura Reid has taught at McNary High School since 2001. This is her fi rst foray into public service aside from vol- unteering in community-based organizations. For more information on both candidates and their po- sitions, visit www.keizertimes. com. Marion Soil & Water Con- servation District Director, At Large #1 The district director posi- tion has earned the interest of two candidates, Stephanie Hazen and Scott Walker. Soil &Water District offi cials man- age natural resources on the local level with an eye toward conservation and enhancement of what is available. Hazen is a retired veterinar- ian and business owner with no prior public service experience, but has taken an active role as a volunteer with the water dis- trict. She and her husband have undertaken the task of convert- ing large swaths of their rural property into native habitats. Walker served as the associ- ate director of the water district for the past 18 months. He is a retired statistician and pro- gram evaluator with the state of Michigan. His interest in the issues the water district tack- les began with degrading wells in his own neighborhood and winter water storage was an emphasis during his time as a Silverton city councilor. obituaries Judith Ann Herber Peters Karen Lovett December 16, 1942 – October 21, 2016 June 16, 1943 – October 22, 2016 Judith Ann Herber Peters, Mize. Herer son, Shawn Peters 73, of Keizer, passed away on October 21, 2016. Judi was and daughter, Lori Kim Pe- born December 16, 1942 in ters, preceded her in death. Judi enjoyed being around Vancouver, Washington. She family and truly loved was the daughter of Jo- spending time with her seph and Rosalie Her- grandchildren. She was ber. an avid reader and trea- Judi is survived by sured her visits with her husband of 53 friends. Many people years, Larry, her daugh- knew her by her warm ter Shannon Tallman smile and laugh. and grandchildren J. Peters Memorial services Shelby and Austin Tall- were held Thursday, man and Taylor and McKenna Peters. She is also October 27 at Keizer Funeral survived by her brother Jo- Chapel, followed by a celebra- seph Herber and sisters Ty- tion of life at the Keizer Elks rene Denlinger and Mary Lodge. CONCEALED CARRY PERMIT CLASS 1PM OR 6PM AT COMFORT INN, SALEM COM F ORT I NN – 1 7 7 5 F RE E WAY C O U RT N E , S A L E M O R 9 7 3 0 1 WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2 2 PERMIT OPTIONS: OREGON ONLY ( $ 45) OREGON $ or MULTI-STATE ( 80) INCLUDED Cash or check payment will be made at the class. A driver license is all you need to bring. HONORED 3 WAYS TO SIGN UP! CALL: 360 -921-2071 WEB: FirearmTrainingNW.com EMAIL: FirearmTrainingNW@gmail.com DO NOT HONOR UT RES. ONLY Walk-Ins are Welcome Multi-state permit honored in Alaska but not Hawaii Karen Lovett, 73, passed away after a battle with lung cancer while she was surround- ed by her loved ones. She was born on June 16, 1943 in Portland to Allen and Maude Berger. Karen was truly one of a kind. She was viva- cious, funny and so full of life. In true Karen fash- ion, some of her last words K. Lovett made her fam- ily laugh. Karen was beloved by many and her greatest passion and joy in life was bringing her family together. She is survived by her daughters whom she loved dearly: Maria (Lovett) Eyerly, Marci (Lovett) Hill, and Kristin (Lovett) Thompson; her sons- in-law who were like her own, Charles Hill and Brian Thomp- son; six grandchildren who think she was the best grandma in the world: Alison (Eyerly) Stewart, Tyler Thompson, Trent Thompson, Jacob Thompson, Briley Hill and Melana Hill; her sister and best friend Kathi Rees; and Maizie, her dog who never left her side. Karen enjoyed garden- ing, hosting family barbecues, watching television and having lunch at McNary’s restaurant.