Abidged voter's guide to the Nov. 7 Ballot Continued

Measure 45

Summary: Currently, there is no limit to the number of years or terms that one may serve in the Oregon Legislature.

The measure would limit one to no more than six years in the House of Representatives, eight years in the Senate and no more than a total of 14 years in the Legislature.

This will include all years of legislative service before the measure’s inaction, but legislators elected on or before Jan. 1 will be allowed to complete their terms in office.

Result of “YES” vote: Voting “YES” will limit state legislators to six years as a representative, eight years as a senator, or a total of 14 years in the Legislature. This would include previous legislative service.

Result of “NO” vote: Voting “NO” will retain current state law, which does not limit length of service as state representative, state senator or in the Legislature overall.

Measure 46

Summary:  Measure 46 amends the Oregon Constitution to allow laws to be passed that would regulate contributions and money spent to influence the outcome of any election.  Under the measure, laws could be passed that prohibit or limit how much an individual can give to a candidate for state or local office or other political campaign and how much an individual campaign or any other political campaign can spend to influence the outcome of a state or local election.

Result of “YES” vote: Voting “YES” on Measure 46 will amend the Constitution to allow laws to be passed, limiting or prohibiting election contributions and money spent if there is at least a vote of both the Oregon Senate and the Oregon House of Representatives.

Result of “NO” vote: Voting “NO” on Measure 46 will retain the current ban in the Oregon Constitution on laws that limit or prohibit political campaign contributions or expenditures by any person.

Measure 47

Summary: Measure 47 will revise campaign finance laws, limiting or prohibiting contributions and money spent, adding disclosure and new reporting requirements.  Current law requires reporting of certain contributions and money spent, but it does not limit the contributors, contributions to, or money spent for public office candidates.  Measure limits individual contributions to candidates with annual upper limit for all contributions.  Measure prohibits corporate, union and organizational contributions and money spent except by political committees funded solely by the individuals.  Prohibits candidate loans and limits candidate’s spending to own candidacy.  Establishes new disclosure, reporting requirements, increases measure’s limits to comply with state and federal constitutions.  Unspent candidate funds go back to the state.

Result of “YES” vote: Voting “YES” on Measure 47 will limit or prohibit certain contributions and money spent on candidates, political committees, political parties; and limits candidates spending to own candidacy; as well as adding disclosure and reporting requirements.

Result of “NO” vote: Voting “NO” on Measure 47 will retain the current law, which does not limit contributors, contributions to, or money spent for state or local public offices candidates while maintaining the existing reporting requirements.

Measure 48

Summary: The measure will place a cap on government spending. Taxpayers will still pay the same amount of taxes but instead of all the money going toward schools, city maintenance or public services, it will be put in a savings account.

The proposed measure will cut government spending by $2.2 billion in its first year, $2.5 billion in July 2007 and $4.5 billion in July 2007-2009. Due to this cutback, new projects will cease, limit maintenance and generally freeze upgrades and improvement on various parts in Oregon’s economy.

A measure very similar to this was practiced for about 12 years in Colorado, called TABOR, and greatly affected the funding that went toward schools and road maintenance.

The damage to MHCC, if the bond is passed this year, will reduce funding by $1 million in the bill’s first year of existence.

Result of a “YES” vote: Voting “yes” amends the constitution to limit the percentage increase in state spending from biennium to biennium to the percentage increase in state population plus inflation.

Result of a “NO” vote: Voting “no” retains existing statute capping appropriations on basis or personal income in Oregon; rejects adding constitutional provision limiting spending increases to population increase, inflation.

Measure 26-83

Summary: The proposed bond, if approved, would be the first voter-approved bond for MHCC in the last 32 to 36 years. Monies would go towards fixing roofs, improving handicap access, replacing lighting, repaving sidewalks, parking lots, curbing and roadways, removing overgrown trees and plants, working on earthquake safety, refinancing the college’s debt, improving the Early Childhood Education Center and $13.6 million will be the match for state-funded construction. If state funds are not approved, the bond will be reduced by this amount

The bond will cost 17 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value.

Measure 26-81

Summary: The Multnomah Country Library’s levy approved in 2002 will expire in 2008. The library levy provides half of the library’s funding.

The levy would cost 89 cents per $1,000 assessed property value for five years beginning in 2007.

According to the Voter’s Pamphlet, renewing the levy will continue programs for school age children, story hours for babies and toddlers, summer reading, literacy services for children in child care, programs for teens, help with library resources, homework help, maintain free access to information, update books and materials, continue book delivery to home-bound seniors and nursing home residents, open new libraries, keep current libraries open and maintain current hours and services.

Measure 26-80

Summary: The proposed bond would protect specific natural areas, lands near rivers and streams and wildlife and trail corridors through land acquisition and restoration. It would also protect streams, fish and wildlife as well as increase the presence of nature in neighborhoods. The bond would cost about 19 cents per $1,000 of assessed value per year.