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Writer's pictureKiera Morgan

State And Local Measures


By Don Gomez

State Ballot Measures

Measure 115 would amend Oregon’s state constitution to allow impeachment of elected

officials by the Oregon Legislature with a two-thirds vote by each chamber. A no vote

retains current law which requires a public recall to remove state level elected officials.

The provisions of the measure regarding impeachment and removal from office do not

apply to the Legislature itself, so Legislators would not be able to remove their

colleagues from office under the provisions of this measure.


Arguments in favor have been presented by the Oregon Taxpayers Association who see

it as a safeguard against malfeasance of officials in our executive branch who are

difficult to recall by a public vote. Arguments in opposition include that filed by State

Senate candidate Noah Robinson who feels that the whole idea is an affront to the

voters who placed those officials in office. Robinson feels the voters should have the

sole right and responsibility to remove them if necessary. This measure would have no

financial impact on local governments.


Measure 116 seeks to establish an Independent Public Service Compensation

Commission whose duty would be to determine salaries for certain elected officials

including the state legislature. A no vote would maintain the current practice of allowing

the legislature to determine salaries of state level elected officials including their own.

Arguments in favor include one by a coalition representing community, philanthropic,

and labor organizations who see the measure as instilling greater accountability and

public oversight. The Oregonian’s Editorial Board has published an article in opposition to Measure 116 citing amongst other reasoning that the language of the measure lacks information about how potential commissioners would be appointed, raising questions about just how “independent” the commission would truly be. Measure 116 also promises no fiscal impact on local governments.


Measure 117 proposes the adoption of a rank choice voting system in Oregon. Rank

choice voting allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference. If no candidate

receives a majority of first-choice votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is

eliminated, and their votes are redistributed until a candidate achieves a majority. This

would apply to federal and statewide offices only. The expected fiscal impact of

implementing this measure is expected to cost state government $900,000 during the

2023-2025 biennium, growing to $5.6 million in the 2025-2027 biennium.


The fiscal impact on local governments could be as much as $2.3 million initially, although total costs per county are difficult to estimate and would depend on total number of voters in

the county. Arguments in favor have been submitted by organizations representing

young voters, veterans, and civic leaders including Sunrise Movement, Veterans for All

Voters, and the League of Women Voters of Oregon respectively. Statements in

opposition, have been filed by the Oregon Taxpayers Association and officials within the

Oregon Republican Party.


Measure 118 would increase the state’s highest corporate minimum taxes in order to

redistribute the revenues to eligible individuals with the state replacing any reduced

federal benefits caused by eligibility. A no vote would maintain the twelve corporate tax

brackets currently in place. An argument in favor submitted by Portland Tenants United

cites the current housing crisis and families need for additional funds to meet the rapidly

increasing cost of housing.


Opponents including the Oregon Farm Bureau warn that the most noticeable impact of the measure will be an increased cost for goods and services as businesses pass the tax back to consumers and that any gains recognized by working families would be effectively negated while the measure would also impose a burden on Oregon’s struggling agricultural sector. Known administrative costs are estimated to be $1.6 million to the state’s General Fund in the 2023-25 biennium and $48.2 million to the General Fund in the 2025-27 biennium.


Measure 119 would require cannabis retailers and processors to remain neutral

regarding their employee’s communications with labor organizations and would impose

penalties for those employers found to be in violation. Support for Measure 119 has

been logged from a plethora of elected officials and community leaders across the state

who see the right to unionize as being essential to create and maintain fair and safe

working conditions in the cannabis industry.


Opponents of the measure including the Taxpayers Association of Oregon warn that an embattled cannabis industry may fall to the illegal market if increased regulation is placed on business owners. This measure will increase state government costs by approximately $0.6 million in the first year. Ongoing costs will increase by approximately $0.8 million each subsequent year. The estimated costs include six new positions to verify application documents and monitor compliance. The increased costs will be paid for by license application fees.

Ballot Measures by Municipality

Measure 21-228 (Lake Point Special Road District): Also referred to as the Lake Point

Special Road District Local Option Tax, this measure would establish an additional tax

of $.72 per $1,000 of assessed property value for five years beginning in 2025-2026

fiscal year. Revenues would be used to update and maintain road surfaces, signs, and

lighting. Additionally, the measure would support right-of-way clearances and fund

general operations. The measure would see an increase of revenues of up to $45,000

by 2030.


Measure 21-229 (Seal Rock Rural Fire Protection District): The measure introduces a

five year levy for needed equipment and disaster preparedness considerations. The

Seal Rock Fire District also notes insufficient revenue to maintain current paid and

volunteer firefighter positions as reasons for forwarding the measure. The levy would

total $.25 per $1,000 of assessed property value over its five year duration.


Measure 21-230 (Central Coast Fire & Rescue District): Measure 21-230 asks residents

within the COCF&R District to replace a current $1.27 per $1,000 levy with a new

operational levy of $1.87 per $1000 in order to maintain staffing levels of fire, EMS, and

rescue personnel. The additional funds would also be used to maintain volunteer

programs and update and replace equipment and protective gear. The measure would

potentially create an increase to property taxes of more than 3% annually.


Measure 21-231 (Toledo): The Measure asks residents whether they support the

adoption of a new city charter which would retain the current form of government, add

position numbers to city council seats, and add a stipend to council positions. It would

also clearly define the administrative, legislative, and quasi-judicial actions of the

council. A full copy of the proposed Charter, and the existing charter, can be found on

the city’s website.


Regardless of where you live in Lincoln County, your ballot is chock full of important

decisions this election season. Ballots must be received or mailed with a valid postmark by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Ballots will be counted if they are postmarked by the deadline and received within seven days of Election Day. As of the publication of this article, designated drop boxes are recommended if you want your vote to be counted on election day.


*Don Gomez is a local writer and owner of Sterncastle Publishing. He ran for county commissioner in May but did not win.

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