Oregon Ballot Measure and Legislative Referral Briefing for November 2018
If you are eligible and you have not yet registered to vote in Oregon, please do so by October 16, 2018. This state is an entirely vote-by-mail state. This means that you will need a stamp for your ballot or to drop it at a ballot box. Ballots must be received by November 6, 2018.
There will likely be five ballot measures on the November ballot—dealing with housing affordability, sales taxes, state budgets and revenue bills, sanctuary state status, and public funding for abortion.
- Measure 102: “Allow Municipal Bonds for Affordable Housing Amendment”
This ballot measure is intended to allow cities (primarily Portland) and counties to vote to use bond revenues to pay for privately owned affordable housing.
Currently, local bonds are not allowed to be used to pay private companies. This is a legislative referral which means that the legislature approved this to go to a vote on the November ballot and is primarily supported by the Portland City government. It is meant to serve affordable housing needs in Clackamas, Washington, and Multnomah counties. Our parent unions support this measure.
- Measure 103: “Ban Tax on Groceries Initiative”
This ballot measure is intended to amend the Oregon constitution to prevent any city or local taxes on the sale of and corporate distribution of groceries (defined as any raw or processed food or beverages intended for human consumption with the exceptions of alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana). This particular initiative cuts two ways: The measure is mainly supported by grocery lobbies which pose that supporting the measure will prevent regressive taxes on basic necessities which most impact financially vulnerable and food insecure households. Supporting the measure, however, may also allow grocery corporations to avoid paying taxes on the sale and distribution of groceries in the state of Oregon (which is a much more substantial tax revenue). Our parent unions oppose this measure.
- Measure 104: “Definition of Raising Revenue for Three-Fifths Vote Requirement Initiative”
This ballot measure is intended to amend the Oregon constitution to require a three-fifths supermajority vote for any legislation that increases revenue through changes in tax exemptions, credits, or deductions. This measure is primarily supported by business coalitions and may make it much harder for the legislature to eliminate evident tax loopholes. Our parent unions oppose this measure.
- Measure 105: “Repeal Sanctuary State Law Initiative” (formerly Initiative Petition 22)
This ballot measure is intended to repeal the state’s 1987 sanctuary law (Oregon Revised Statute 181A.820) which currently limits cooperation between local and federal law enforcement and ensures that local law enforcement focus on local issues. This measure is supported by anti-immigrant committees formed within the last year. Our parent unions oppose this measure.
- Measure 106: “Oregon Ban Public Funds for Abortions Initiative”
This ballot measure is intended to amend the Oregon constitution to reduce access to abortion by eliminating the use of publicly funded healthcare plans (used by public employees and Medicaid recipients) if those insurance plans cover abortion. Currently, locals bargain for their healthcare coverage options and the constitution allows for the use of state-funded healthcare plans to be used for abortion when the procedure is approved by medical professional. Our parent unions oppose this measure.
