BOTH SIDES TO BALLOT MEASURES THIS MIDTERM

Graphic by Angeles Ramirez / The Advocate

On Tuesday, Nov. 6, Oregon residents will vote on a variety of topics. Oregonians will decide who the governor should be for the next four years, as well as who should represent them in the U.S. House. In addition to voting on who should represent Oregon at the national level, citizens will also make the final call on five statewide measures appearing on the ballot this year.

102

Currently, the Oregon constitution does not allow local government to raise money for or loan money to private organizations. Measure 102 aims to amend the state constitution to allow local government to loan money or give credit to private organizations in order to build more affordable housing, given the state’s severe homeless crisis.

Supporters of Measure 102 say passing this measure would enable Portland, and other cities, to work with local businesses and nonprofit organizations to expand affordable housing. Known supporters of 102 include Portland city hall leaders, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, Habitat for Humanity Oregon, and Meals on Wheels people.

Opponents say the amendment would give too much opportunity for private business to misuse public assets since they stand to profit from the building and selling of the subsidized housing. Opponents of Measure 102 include, among others, The Bike Party.

103

In Oregon there has been no tax on groceries; however, this custom is not enforced by law. Currently, if any city decided to put taxes on groceries (including non-alcoholic beverages) in Oregon, it would have the legal right to do so. Measure 103 would prohibit, in the state constitution, any potential grocery/beverage taxes being put into law. It would not only prevent any future taxes, but also repeal any enacted since Oct. 1, 2017.

Supporters of Measure 103 say that taxes on groceries can have a negative impact on people who have a hard time affording food. Oregon state Rep. Knute Buehler, R-Bend (GOP candidate for governor on the ballot) says that Oregon is already collecting record tax revenues from Oregonians, and supports the measure So does the Northwest Grocery Association, several retail chains – and the beverage industry.

Opponents argue the law would be unnecessary since no one is pushing to tax groceries (aside from proposed “soda taxes.”). They say if  it passes, it could have unintended consequences for Oregonians. Leading the opposition is a coalition named “No on 103.” You can read more about their definition of “unintended consequences” on their website, noon103.org.

104

This measure would like to clarify the definition of “raising revenue” in the Oregon constitution. Oregonians passed a law in 1996 to require a three-fifths vote from each chamber (senate and house) to pass bills related to “raising revenue.” This amendment would expand that definition to require a three-fifths vote on any laws involving tax increases, fees credits, and exemptions.

Supporters say politicians have found and attempted to use loopholes in the 1996 law in order to change taxes, or what amount to taxes, without a three-fifths vote. The organization Yes on 104 says on its website that there have been attempts to change Oregon taxes without a majority vote, and that passage of 104 would reinforce the law.

Opponents, on the other hand, argue that if passed, Measure 104 could make it harder to make tax changes related to social welfare programs because of tension between political parties. Some opponents include Our Oregon, Defend Oregon, and state Rep. Phil Barnhart, D-Springfield.

105

Measure 105 has proven to be one of the most controversial measures on the ballot. This proposal would repeal Oregon’s legally formal “sanctuary state” status and thus allow police and other law officers to use (public funds) to seek and arrest undocumented residents whose only violation of the law is their undocumented status.

Supporters of 105 say that Oregon should have been cooperating with U.S. authorities from the beginning to enforce national policy on immigration. It is also emphasized that legal Oregonians should be prioritized by the state. The communications director for Oregonians For Immigration Reform, Jim Ludwick, addressed the opponents’ argument of undocumented children being separated from their parents at the border if immigration laws are better enforced (causing more hardship). He said that anytime a parent is arrested, they are separated from their children.

Opponents of Measure 105 do not approve of spending Oregon tax dollars on arresting people who are breaking the law only by being undocumented, meantime. They argue it could increase racial profiling by law enforcement. Some law enforcement officers have said that this measure could make Oregon cities less safe by making undocumented citizens less likely to report crimes than before.

106

Another controversial measure on the ballot is Measure 106, which would bar public funds from being spent on abortions except when medically necessary. State-funded healthcare would no longer cover abortions for pregnancies that did not pose a threat to the pregnant woman.

Supporters say the measure does not change a woman’s right to get an abortion but does mean Oregonian tax dollars won’t fund elective abortions (those not medically necessary). They say Oregon has little-to-no regulation on abortion, so tax dollars could potentially fund very controversial late-term abortions. Supporters include “Yes on Measure 106” and The Oregon Catholic Conference.

Opponents of Measure 106 say the law would restrict abortions for low-income women and could have a negative impact on the women and families who most need access to safe abortions. Opposition to Measure 106 includes, among others, Defend Oregon and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon.

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