BALLOT MEASURE BRIEF SUMMARIES

Measure 102:

Measure 102 aims to amend the Oregon Constitution to allow local governments (i.e., cities, counties) to credit money to private enterprise to build affordable housing. (Approved by both the Oregon House and Senate, the amendment must be ratified by state voters.)

What will change?

Local governments would be allowed to spend public money on affordable housing that they may not necessarily own. Since the private enterprise would be investing money or labor, those entities could be partial owners or wholly own the project.

Facts to note:

The amendment would require local voters to approve bonds and annual audits of the new housing.

Voting yes:

A “yes” vote would let local governments issue credit to private entities to build affordable housing.

Voting no:

A “no” vote would mean keeping the law that bars local government from raising money for, or loaning money to private enterprise.

Measure 103:

Measure 103 would write into law the decision not to tax groceries. It isn’t common in Oregon to see sales tax on groceries, because there is no state-level sales tax. However, there also is no law keeping local governments from enacting such taxes. Measure 103 will prevent any sales tax on groceries in the future – including beverages (i.e., any new soda tax), explaining why major beverage companies backed the measure. The measure would also repeal any sales tax put into effect in Oregon cities after Oct. 1, 2017.

What will change?

Groceries will remain tax-free. The chance of any Oregon city to apply sales tax on groceries will be eliminated.

Voting yes:

The Oregon Constitution would be amended to officially ban state or local sales tax on groceries.

Voting no:

Local government would keep the right to enact sales tax on groceries.

Measure 104:

Measure 104 would redefine the phrase “raising revenue” as used in the Oregon Constitution. The Constitution requires a three-fifths majority vote to pass legislation related to raising revenue. This measure would move for “raising revenue” to also include changes to exemptions, deductions, or credits as well as any direct, legislative-approved change or increase in taxes. For any of those actions listed above, a three-fifths vote from each chamber (i.e., House and Senate) would be required to pass new bills in the future.

What will change?

The definition of “raising revenue” in relation to the Oregon Constitution.

Voting yes:

Voting “yes” will require a three-fifths majority vote on additional legislation involving state revenue in the future.

Voting no:

The Constitution will not be amended. The scale of revenue-related bills that require a three-fifths majority vote to pass will not be affected.

 

 

The Advocate will cover other ballot measures in next week’s issue.