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.