What’s At Stake In the Measures 66 and 67 Campaign: What the State Does, County By County

Steve Novick


What will be at stake when Measures 66 and 67 are on the ballot January 26?  The services that make up 90% of the state budget – education, health care and public safety. The State pays most of the cost of public school for over 550,000 children; provides Oregon Health Plan coverage for 486,500 Oregonians, including 272,500 children, and 116,500 seniors and people with disabilities; provides long-term care-  in-home, nursing home, and assisted living care - for thousands of seniors and people with disabilities; pays for prison cells for nearly 14,000 criminal offenders; and pays county community corrections offices to supervise thousands of released offenders.

Those are the services that Measures 66 and 67 are designed to protect – so we don’t have a repeat of 2002-04, when we cut 55,000 people from the Oregon Health Plan and (to give just one example) Hillsboro schools closed 17 days early. 

So that you can get an idea of how much these state services matter in your community, the following is a list of how many people receive certain state-funded services in each county in Oregon. Since Measure 66 gives a tax break to people who received unemployment benefits in 2009, and raises revenue from households making over $250,000 (and single people making over $125,000), we also list the number of people in each county who began receiving unemployment benefits in 2009 and those who will pay additional taxes under Measure 66. (When I say “we,” I mean the Vote Yes for Oregon campaign, which I am currently working for.)

At the end of the document we have listed sources and additional notes (explaining, for example, that the number of unemployed people receiving a tax break is understated by the county-by-county numbers).

Baker County:

Children in public schools: 2,208

People on the Oregon Health Plan: 1,983

Seniors and people with disabilities receiving long-term care (in-home, assisted living, nursing homes): 152

People who received an initial unemployment benefit check in 2009: 639

Released criminal offenders under supervision:  47

Tax filers who make $250,000 or more (households) or $125,000 or more (individual filers): 93

Benton County:

Children in public schools: 9,030

People on the Oregon Health Plan: 5,278

Seniors and people with disabilities receiving long-term care (in-home, assisted living, nursing homes): 320

People receiving unemployment benefits in 2009: 2,588

Released criminal offenders under supervision:  137

Tax filers who make $250,000 or more (households) or $125,000 or more (individual filers): 930


Clackamas County:

Children in public schools: 58,961

People on the Oregon Health Plan: 26,237

Seniors and people with disabilities receiving long-term care (in-home, assisted living, nursing homes): 2,067

People who received an initial unemployment check in 2009: 20,099

Released criminal offenders under supervision:  763

Tax filers who make $250,000 or more (households) or $125,000 or more (individual filers): 6,270


Clatsop County:

Children in public schools: 5,020

People on the Oregon Health Plan: 3,668

Seniors and people with disabilities receiving long-term care (in-home, assisted living, nursing homes): 248

People who received an initial unemployment check in 2009: 1,766

Released criminal offenders under supervision:  171

Tax filers who make $250,000 or more (households) or $125,000 or more (individual filers): 283


Columbia County:

Children in public schools: 8,584

People on the Oregon Health Plan: 4,535

Seniors and people with disabilities receiving long-term care (in-home, assisted living, nursing homes): 381

People who received an initial unemployment check in 2009: 3,125

Released criminal offenders under supervision:  165

Tax filers who make $250,000 or more (households) or $125,000 or more (individual filers): 207


Coos County:

Children in public schools: 8,446

People on the Oregon Health Plan: 8,991

Seniors and people with disabilities receiving long-term care (in-home, assisted living, nursing homes): 935

People who received an initial unemployment check in 2009: 3,428

Released criminal offenders under supervision:  194

Tax filers who make $250,000 or more (households) or $125,000 or more (individual filers): 383


Crook County:

Children in public schools: 3,208

People on the Oregon Health Plan: 2,353

Seniors and people with disabilities receiving long-term care (in-home, assisted living, nursing homes): 191

People who received an initial unemployment check in 2009: 2,220

Released criminal offenders under supervision:  73

Tax filers who make $250,000 or more (households) or $125,000 or more (individual filers): 123


Curry County:

Children in public schools: 2,575

People on the Oregon Health Plan: 2,199

Seniors and people with disabilities receiving long-term care (in-home, assisted living, nursing homes): 226

People who received an initial unemployment check in 2009: 1,054

Released criminal offenders under supervision:  51

Tax filers who make $250,000 or more (households) or $125,000 or more (individual filers): 141


Deschutes County:

Children in public schools: 24,578

People on the Oregon Health Plan: 13,319

Seniors and people with disabilities receiving long-term care (in-home, assisted living, nursing homes): 673

People who received an initial unemployment check in 2009: 12,163

Released criminal offenders under supervision:  503

Tax filers who make $250,000 or more (households) or $125,000 or more (individual filers): 1,995


Douglas County:

Children in public schools: 15,181

People on the Oregon Health Plan: 14,076

Seniors and people with disabilities receiving long-term care (in-home, assisted living, nursing homes): 1,037

People who received an initial unemployment check in 2009: 6,932

Released criminal offenders under supervision:  370

Tax filers who make $250,000 or more (households) or $125,000 or more (individual filers): 473


Gilliam County:

Children in public schools: 233

People on the Oregon Health Plan: 132

Seniors and people with disabilities receiving long-term care (in-home, assisted living, nursing homes): 13

People who received an initial unemployment check in 2009: 72

Released criminal offenders under supervision:  6

Tax filers who make $250,000 or more (households) or $125,000 or more (individual filers): Unknown – less than 10

 

Grant County:

Children in public schools: 1,032

People on the Oregon Health Plan: 705

Seniors and people with disabilities receiving long-term care (in-home, assisted living, nursing homes): 66

People who received an initial unemployment check in 2009: 394

Released criminal offenders under supervision:   15

Tax filers who make $250,000 or more (households) or $125,000 or more (individual filers): 36


Harney County:

Children in public schools: 1,187

People on the Oregon Health Plan: 846

Seniors and people with disabilities receiving long-term care (in-home, assisted living, nursing homes): 56

People who received an initial unemployment check in 2009: 471

Released criminal offenders under supervision:   47

Tax filers who make $250,000 or more (households) or $125,000 or more (individual filers): Unknown – fewer than 20


Hood River County:

Children in public schools: 3,973

People on the Oregon Health Plan: 2,507

Seniors and people with disabilities receiving long-term care (in-home, assisted living, nursing homes): 103

People who received an initial unemployment check in 2009: 1,364

Released criminal offenders under supervision:  41

Tax filers who make $250,000 or more (households) or $125,000 or more (individual filers): 236

 

Jackson County:

Children in public schools: 28,367

People on the Oregon Health Plan: 23,480

Seniors and people with disabilities receiving long-term care (in-home, assisted living, nursing homes): 1,408

People who received an initial unemployment check in 2009: 12,704

Released criminal offenders under supervision:  684

Tax filers who make $250,000 or more (households) or $125,000 or more (individual filers): 1,728


Jefferson County:

Children in public schools: 3,681

People on the Oregon Health Plan: 3,877

Seniors and people with disabilities receiving long-term care (in-home, assisted living, nursing homes): 120

People who received an initial unemployment check in 2009: 1,423

Released criminal offenders under supervision:  92

Tax filers who make $250,000 or more (households) or $125,000 or more (individual filers): 89


Josephine County:

Children in public schools: 11,136

People on the Oregon Health Plan: 12,017

Seniors and people with disabilities receiving long-term care (in-home, assisted living, nursing homes): 882

People who received an initial unemployment check in 2009: 4,486

Released criminal offenders under supervision:  319

Tax filers who make $250,000 or more (households) or $125,000 or more (individual filers): 447

 

Klamath County:

Children in public schools: 10,094

People on the Oregon Health Plan: 9,238

Seniors and people with disabilities receiving long-term care (in-home, assisted living, nursing homes): 468

People who received an initial unemployment check in 2009: 3,921

Released criminal offenders under supervision:  280

Tax filers who make $250,000 or more (households) or $125,000 or more (individual filers): 348


Lake County:

Children in public schools: 1,103

People on the Oregon Health Plan: 909

Seniors and people with disabilities receiving long-term care (in-home, assisted living, nursing homes): 44

People who received an initial unemployment check in 2009: 386

Released criminal offenders under supervision:  27

Tax filers who make $250,000 or more (households) or $125,000 or more (individual filers): 35


Lane County:

Children in public schools: 46,686

People on the Oregon Health Plan: 38,105

Seniors and people with disabilities receiving long-term care (in-home, assisted living, nursing homes): 2,402

People who received an initial unemployment check in 2009: 21,000

Released criminal offenders under supervision:  1,403

Tax filers who make $250,000 or more (households) or $125,000 or more (individual filers): 3,050


Lincoln County:

Children in public schools: 5,377

People on the Oregon Health Plan: 5,971

Seniors and people with disabilities receiving long-term care (in-home, assisted living, nursing homes): 551

People who received an initial unemployment check in 2009: 2,095

Released criminal offenders under supervision:  186

Tax filers who make $250,000 or more (households) or $125,000 or more (individual filers): 325


Linn County:

Children in public schools: 21,325

People on the Oregon Health Plan: 14,744

Seniors and people with disabilities receiving long-term care (in-home, assisted living, nursing homes): 1,048

People who received an initial unemployment check in 2009: 8,277

Released criminal offenders under supervision:  642

Tax filers who make $250,000 or more (households) or $125,000 or more (individual filers): 428


Malheur County:

Children in public schools: 5,194

People on the Oregon Health Plan: 5,188

Seniors and people with disabilities receiving long-term care (in-home, assisted living, nursing homes): 282

People who received an initial unemployment check in 2009: 1,144

Released criminal offenders under supervision:  159

Tax filers who make $250,000 or more (households) or $125,000 or more (individual filers): 103


Marion County:

Children in public schools: 58,676

People on the Oregon Health Plan: 46,048

Seniors and people with disabilities receiving long-term care (in-home, assisted living, nursing homes): 2,101

People who received an initial unemployment check in 2009: 16,852

Released criminal offenders under supervision:  1,676

Tax filers who make $250,000 or more (households) or $125,000 or more (individual filers): 1,883


Morrow County:

Children in public schools: 2,412

People on the Oregon Health Plan: 1,419

Seniors and people with disabilities receiving long-term care (in-home, assisted living, nursing homes): 61

People who received an initial unemployment check in 2009: 517

Released criminal offenders under supervision:  25

Tax filers who make $250,000 or more (households) or $125,000 or more (individual filers): 33


Multnomah County:

Children in public schools: 91,062

People on the Oregon Health Plan: 83,592

Seniors and people with disabilities receiving long-term care (in-home, assisted living, nursing homes): 6,380

People who received an initial unemployment check in 2009: 39,807

Released criminal offenders under supervision:  2,925

Tax filers who make $250,000 or more (households) or $125,000 or more (individual filers): 10,511


Polk County:

Children in public schools: 6,763

People on the Oregon Health Plan: 8,399

Seniors and people with disabilities receiving long-term care (in-home, assisted living, nursing homes): 617

People who received an initial unemployment check in 2009: 3,258

Released criminal offenders under supervision:  183

Tax filers who make $250,000 or more (households) or $125,000 or more (individual filers): 468


Sherman County:

Children in public schools: 275

People on the Oregon Health Plan: 192

Seniors and people with disabilities receiving long-term care (in-home, assisted living, nursing homes): 12

People who received an initial unemployment check in 2009: 69

Released criminal offenders under supervision:  8

Tax filers who make $250,000 or more (households) or $125,000 or more (individual filers): Unknown; less than 10


Tillamook County:

Children in public schools: 3,301

People on the Oregon Health Plan: 2,670

Seniors and people with disabilities receiving long-term care (in-home, assisted living, nursing homes): 96

People who received an initial unemployment check in 2009: 1,200

Released criminal offenders under supervision:  81

Tax filers who make $250,000 or more (households) or $125,000 or more (individual filers): 152


Umatilla County:

Children in public schools: 13,551

People on the Oregon Health Plan: 10,254

Seniors and people with disabilities receiving long-term care (in-home, assisted living, nursing homes): 672

People who received an initial unemployment check in 2009: 3,465

Released criminal offenders under supervision:  266

Tax filers who make $250,000 or more (households) or $125,000 or more (individual filers): 288


Union County:

Children in public schools: 3,830

People on the Oregon Health Plan: 3,138

Seniors and people with disabilities receiving long-term care (in-home, assisted living, nursing homes): 242

People who received an initial unemployment check in 2009: 1,578

Released criminal offenders under supervision:  73

Tax filers who make $250,000 or more (households) or $125,000 or more (individual filers): 130


Wallowa County:

Children in public schools: 871

People on the Oregon Health Plan: 694

Seniors and people with disabilities receiving long-term care (in-home, assisted living, nursing homes): 89

People who received an initial unemployment check in 2009: 439

Released criminal offenders under supervision:  8

Tax filers who make $250,000 or more (households) or $125,000 or more (individual filers): 27


Wasco County:

Children in public schools: 3,470

People on the Oregon Health Plan: 3,275

Seniors and people with disabilities receiving long-term care (in-home, assisted living, nursing homes): 251

People who received an initial unemployment check in 2009: 1,094

Released criminal offenders under supervision:  78

Tax filers who make $250,000 or more (households) or $125,000 or more (individual filers): 138


Washington County:

Children in public schools: 83,701

People on the Oregon Health Plan: 38,334

Seniors and people with disabilities receiving long-term care (in-home, assisted living, nursing homes): 2,099

People who received an initial unemployment check in 2009: 27,123

Released criminal offenders under supervision:  1,125

Tax filers who make $250,000 or more (households) or $125,000 or more (individual filers): 7,033


Wheeler County:

Children in public schools: 198

People on the Oregon Health Plan: 83

Seniors and people with disabilities receiving long-term care (in-home, assisted living, nursing homes): 6

People who received an initial unemployment check in 2009: 30

Released criminal offenders under supervision:  2

Tax filers who make $250,000 or more (households) or $125,000 or more (individual filers): Unknown – fewer than 10


Yamhill County:

Children in public schools: 16,635

People on the Oregon Health Plan: 10,582

Seniors and people with disabilities receiving long-term care (in-home, assisted living, nursing homes): 638

People who received an initial unemployment check in 2009: 6,004

Released criminal offenders under supervision:  291

Tax filers who make $250,000 or more (households) or $125,000 or more (individual filers): 686

 

Sources and Notes:

The numbers above are derived from data provided by the Department of Human Services, the Department of Education, the Department of Corrections, the Employment Department and the Legislative Revenue Office.

The DHS numbers come from DHS’ most recent complete county-by-county count in Spring 2009. In the case of the Oregon Health Plan numbers, we have combined the five (non-overlapping) OHP categories: TANF Related Medical and TANF Extended; Children’s Health Insurance Plan & Poverty Level Medical Children; Old Age Assistance, Aid to the Blind and Disabled’ Poverty Level Medical Women; and Substitute Care and Adoption Services.  In the case of the Long-Term Care numbers, we have combined the In-Home Care, Community Based Care, and Nursing Facility numbers. 

The public school student numbers come from the Department of Education’s Fall Membership count. They come with this caveat from ODE: For districts that span more than one county, we assign all students to the primary county (e.g., all Salem-Keizer students are counted in Marion County). “

The unemployment benefits recipient numbers from the Employment Department consist only of people who have received an initial benefit check in 2009 through October 31, 2009.  In other words, they do not include people who began receiving benefits in 2008 and continued to receive them in 2009.  Thus, these numbers are significantly lower than the number of total unemployment benefits recipients in each county in 2009. The statewide total is 213,188; the Legislative Revenue Office however, has told us that they expect 271,000 will be eligible for the unemployment benefits tax exemption. The Employment Department explained to us that they simply do not have precise data on ‘number of people who received unemployment checks in each county in the course of a year.’

The “released criminal offenders under supervision” numbers are from the Department of Corrections. They include offenders on parole and in “post-parole” and “post-prison” status.  The Department provides funding to counties’ Community Corrections departments for supervision of offenders in these categories.

The high-income tax filer numbers are from the Legislative Revenue Office.

 

 

 

  • (Show?)

    I want a bumper sticker which says something along the lines of "Support Oregon Jobs Vote Yes on 66 & 67".

  • Jim Houser (unverified)
    (Show?)

    Good Kevin. Or, how about "Jobs for Oregon, Now More Than Ever. Vote Yes on 66 & 67".

  • mp97303 (unverified)
    (Show?)

    Really impressive. In one post you managed to appeal to liberal cornerstones of school kids, uninsured, elderly & disabled and even managed to throw in the unemployed for good measure. What is amazing is you were able to hedge your bet and appeal to conservatives as well with "being tough on crime."

    One question. If money is needed to avert this pending crisis, why are so few being asked to step up and save us?

  • jaybeat (unverified)
    (Show?)

    mp97303, I'll answer, though you won't like it.

    Because those who can, should. Now, more than ever. Whether you believe it or not, we're all in this together, so STFU and pay your fair share!

  • (Show?)

    Oooh... I like yours better, Jim.

  • alcatross (unverified)
    (Show?)

    jaybeat commented: Whether you believe it or not, we're all in this together...

    eh... according to above, we're all in Measure 66 together on top of less than 38,800 households (or less than 3% of taxpayers as indicated elsewhere here at BO)

    mp97303 is right - only with a broad-based tax increase at a smaller percentage rate can we TRULY say we're all in this together.

  • LT (unverified)
    (Show?)

    "mp97303 is right - only with a broad-based tax increase at a smaller percentage rate can we TRULY say we're all in this together."

    And exactly how did you vote on Measure 30, or aren't we supposed to ask?

    If these taxes are overturned, there will be budget cuts. If that is denied before the Jan. election, good luck trying to float alternatives if the voters turn down the taxes. And if the voters uphold the taxes by voting yes, good luck convincing people that all good Oregonians vote a straight Republican ticket.

  • matthew vantress (unverified)
    (Show?)

    i will vote a resounding no on this measures.get all the non citizens and their anchor babies off all state services including the oregon health plan mr novick and cut the govt to the bone first before you bother asking taxpayers for another dime.

  • Richard (unverified)
    (Show?)

    What happened back when M28 and M30 tax increases were voted down?

  • anonymous (unverified)
    (Show?)

    Mr. Vantress:

    Ok, where should we cut? Mr. Novick has pointed out the state services provided. What should be cut? Should we only supervise 30 of the 47 released criminal offenders in Baker County? Would that cut be alright?

    How's about cutting some of those 83,000 kids in Washington County in public schools?

    Should we wheel people in nursing homes out into the street?

    Please, tell me the explicit cuts that should be made. If you think that the state budget needs to be cut, please tell us all what cuts should be made.

  • jim (unverified)
    (Show?)

    alcatross, you have no idea what you are talking about; can you tell me about the tax incidence studies on which you base your claim?

    These tax measures will make OR taxes MORE FAIR no matter how you look at it. The bottom 20% income bracket is now paying 8.7% of their income in state and local taxes, compared to 7.9% for the top 20% bracket, in Oregon. BEFORE you make outrageous claims next time, how about checking out some real data:

    http://www.itepnet.org/wp2009/statespecific.html

  • jim (unverified)
    (Show?)

    How about:

    REAL JOBS, REAL SERVICES VOTE YES ON 66 & 67

  • (Show?)

    The only thing I would suggest adding is the number of people living in each county to further contrast those who benefit and those who will pay. 200,000 people live in Jackson County.

  • Mike M (unverified)
    (Show?)

    Paulie makes a great suggestion - adding the population of each county.

    Other worthwhile additions: the number of tax returns filed; the number of businesses; the tax revenue paid in each county; the spending budgeted in each county, to name but a few.

    Steve, you did do a great job compiling the information.

    Still missing from the discussion is a definition of "fair share".

  • alcatross (unverified)
    (Show?)

    Mike M commented: Still missing from the discussion is a definition of "fair share".

    heh... good luck on that one-

  • Lord Beaverbrook (unverified)
    (Show?)

    mp, I fear you can't get a decent response anymore. Totally canned arguments from both sides. No matter what we ask, we'll hear one of their "pull my string and watch me wonk off" responses.

    And you can tell by the formatting that sooo much thought went into this.

    I am now fully convinced that the Dems are behind conservative talk radio. Look how fired up the sticker writers are! 80% motivated by anti-TEA rhetoric. They would be far less fired up if they were explaining why this is a good idea, and debating the way funds are wasted, with people further left. Or anyone thinking. How convenient. A pitiable straw man, saying exactly what would most motivate the Dem base to turn out and vote. And that is why they are not edited out, as progressives routinely are. That they would leave a matthew ventress post and censor something mp said as off topic- the genuine poster least motivated by oneupmanship in the history of blogging- makes me spit bile.

  • blizzak (unverified)
    (Show?)

    Here are some specific cuts:

    -Cut the supervision are prosecution of drug users, -Audit the in-home caretaker system, -Eliminate the Commission on Children and Families, -Stop paying for oxy, viccodin, etc. for addicts

    On a side note: I find it interesting that when tax hikes are at issue, "progressives" start supporting the police state and the war on drugs.

  • (Show?)

    Regarding the togetherness comment: individuals and corporations that have made enough $ to be in the highest brackets have made their fortunes on the spending of all Oregonians. It is via the existing very comfortable tax arrangement that their fortunes have been coated with an extra spread of frosting.

    Over the past several years, "regular" folks have been hammered by every conceivable increase on every conceivable commodity and service while at the same time seeing stagnant wages, or worse, jobs lost.

    Harsh times need tough solutions, and there is no panacea that will be universally popular. Yet it is a small sacrifice to raise a Corporate minimum that has been $10 since 1931.

    It is a small sacrifice to ask a couple who earns almost $20,700 in a MONTH, to invest just $15/month more in the Oregon economy.

  • (Show?)

    Oh, and the Multnomah County population, 2008 estimate:

    714,567

  • Lord Beaverbrook (unverified)
    (Show?)

    blizzak, don't believe the hype. No progressives support Nixon's War on Drugs. You're confusing them with Dems that post things like "Blue Oregon is a place where Oregon progressives gather 'round the water cooler".

    Real progressives are STILL reminding those that seem to be history learning impaired, that even the phrase is highly offensive. WE still bristle that it was coined, like the best practices of conservative talk radio, as a guffaw at that stoopid, socialist idea of LBJ's, the War on Poverty.

    Dems will not consider real reform because, 1) they harbour conservative beliefs in the heart, 2) they actually know little of the detail of exactly how the rhetoric is a lie, 3) law enforcement couldn't continue its dysfunctional ways and growing budgets without it, and they actually like the police state, 4) private profits from drug testing and the monies that brings in for teaching and university hospitals, 5) the gov's systematic promoting of poor science, 6) keeping low paid workers from changing jobs, 7) reducing the WOD reduces their personal influence, 8) to get as many people on custodial supervision as possible (particularly people of color), but most of all, they find it useful to have a quick and handy way of measuring if a person will drop his/her pants on command.

    No, far easier to give middle manager's COLAs, demand we pony up more to cover it, while holding a gun at kids' and seniors' heads. Yeah, most with any logic/conscience will have to vote for it. If you're proud of that fact, than get a life an look around you. The fact you run with a better herd makes your personal character no better than the Beck dittoheads or enviroterrorists like Jamieee/JK/K arlock/billy/Marie (all, James K arlock, of course).

  • (Show?)

    The job killing taxes BIG LIE: Oregon Center for Public Policy: "The Tax Policy Center’s analysis shows that the campaign against Measures 66 and 67 is relying on phony job numbers shoddily cooked up by hired-gun economists."

    http://www.ocpp.org/ and

    http://www.ocpp.org/2009/20091123_TPC_Oregon_Memo_final.pdf

    kudos to OCPP's and BO's Chuck Sheketoff!

  • Zarathustra (unverified)
    (Show?)

    Put Rush, Sean and Glenn out of work! "Liberals Against Tax Killing Jobs"!

  • mlw (unverified)
    (Show?)

    "I like paying taxes. With them I buy civilization." -- Oliver Wendell Holmes.

  • Kurt Chapman (unverified)
    (Show?)

    Steve Novick again omits that he is a PAID operative of the YES on 66 &67 campaigns. Therefor his prose could be rightly questioned.

    At the end of the day (since the beginning of the biennium): state employment has risen by 1,700 FTE's according to Salem; State employees got raises; State employees pay nothing towards their health insurance; ODOT continues to waste money and PERS has a $1.7BILLION gaping hole.

    Voting yes on 66&67 WILL not guarantee that existing funding and staffing for schools, public safety, public health and justice will be maintianed. Beginning July 2010, PERS will begin taking an additional 6% or so out of budgets because THE STATE PERS BOARD messed up. This is not the fault of city, county or school board employees. It is not the fault of the great majority of state employees. It is, however going to be the responsibility of the general population of Oregon and all of these employees unless Gov K grows a backbone and shows some leadership.

  • Edward I. O'Hannity (unverified)
    (Show?)

    It's not about what state government needs. It's about what Oregon corporations need. Who needs the State Police? A private security firm like Blackwater would be more cost effective anyway. And we could simply solve the school issue by having vouchers and more private schools.

    ~EIO (un-PAID operative)

  • Edward I. O'Hannity (unverified)
    (Show?)

    It's not about what state government needs. It's about what Oregon corporations need. Who needs the State Police? A private security firm like Blackwater would be more cost effective anyway. And we could simply solve the school issue by having vouchers and more private schools.

    ~EIO (un-PAID operative)

  • LT (unverified)
    (Show?)

    Vouchers have been on the ballot and lost in this state. One reason was that when people asked questions about the logistics of vouchers, they'd get vague responses or "well, I should hope so!"

    Peoople who don't see serious information coming from a campaign are not required to vote for that campaign.

    At some point, it really is about what ordinary voters want.

    I wonder if Edward I. O'Hannity is being sarcastic.

  • Peri Brown (unverified)
    (Show?)

    I wonder if Edward I. O'Hannity is being sarcastic.

    Either that or he learned what Libertarian was on Wednesday and is taking his first wacks at it.

    Try marrying the accountability/bottom line bit with citizen oversight of government which executes, or else, and you'll be a lot closer.

  • (Show?)

    Kurt,

    I believe Steven Novick DID state it:

    (When I say “we,” I mean the Vote Yes for Oregon campaign, which I am currently working for.)

    So much for your outrage....

  • Edward I. O'Hannity (unverified)
    (Show?)

    I wonder if Edward I. O'Hannity is being sarcastic.

    Sarcastic!?! I should think not! We need to completely defund Oregon and sell off all public assets to the highest bidder. The Private Sector should be running this show. All of society's ills can be directly traced to our neo-socialistic state government.

    ~EIO

  • alcatross (unverified)
    (Show?)

    mlw commented: "I like paying taxes. With them I buy civilization." -- Oliver Wendell Holmes.

    Of course, he said that sometime within the last 50 years of his professional career during which he didn't have to pay income taxes on his salaries as a justice on the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court or associate justice of the Federal Supreme Court - government officers and employees were not subject to income taxes until the Public Salary Tax Act of 1939... enacted 4 years after Holmes had passed on and 7 years after he had left the Supreme Court.

  • Kurt Chapman (unverified)
    (Show?)

    Fair enough David, I missed that in Novick's post. Thanks for pointing it out. The fact remains that this tax, if enacted WILL NOT maintain current levels of public education, public health and public safety.

  • mlw (unverified)
    (Show?)

    Alcatross - News to me. Presumably he paid property and/or sales taxes. The principle is the same. I really hate it when some conservative spouts off about how overpaid public employees are in Oregon, or how little Oregonians get for their tax dollars. In fact, they pay very little and get a very good value for what they do pay. If they want to pay a lot, they should try the East Coast. I spent most of my grade and high school years there. We paid a lot of taxes and public school per capita student expenditures were among the highest in the country. Consequently, I received a wonderful education. We had a number of Ph.D.s teaching in my high school. They were well paid, and deserved to be. You get what you pay for.

  • Fern Sophia (unverified)
    (Show?)

    Novik's article is an excellent compendium of hard facts (as opposed to airy-fairy speculations like "School vouchers could solve the problem!"). Red herrings like "school vouchers" diverts our energy from attending to the current fiscal emergency.

    Anyone who cares to observe the results of governance by experimental fantasy need only look one state south. Maybe one day Oregon's economy will return to the kind of stability that supports "hobby" experiments with our system of government -- but wait! We like our government the way it is! Or don't we? I do.

    <h2>The teabaggers and other traitors currently attempting to chip away at our state budget like so many nibbling termites might consider emigration to a society more to their liking, say, Uzbekistan.</h2>

connect with blueoregon