FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 2008
Contact: Lupita Maurer, Chair
Washington County Democrats
503-848-2953
Washington County Democrats Say “No”
To Most Proposed Ballot Measures
The Washington County Democratic Central Committee voted a resounding “no” on 14 proposed and authorized ballot measures headed for the November ballot, “yes” on one that deals with the double majority issue, and put off debate on another one until the July meeting.
The 100-plus Democrats in attendance at the meeting in late June at the county party’s new monthly gathering place, the Kingstad Center in Beaverton, agreed to support ballot measure 407, which was referred by the legislature and will be on the ballot. The measure would amend the Oregon Constitution to provide that May and November property tax elections are decided by a majority of voters voting. It allows for a simple majority vote instead of the current double majority requirement on some elections.
One other measure, No. 408, that would increase sentences for drug trafficking, theft against elderly and specified repeat property and identity theft crimes, was left undecided until the July meeting, when it will be debated further. The measure was referred by the legislature and will appear on the ballot.
Measures receiving a “no” vote ranged from one that creates an unlimited deduction for federal income taxes to several classroom and teacher-related issues, to immigration. (Individual ballot numbers are: 3, 19, 20, 21, 25, 40, 41, 51, 53, 78, 109, 112, 131, 134.)
For a list of the proposed ballot initiatives, click here.