Oregon - Measure 30 Fails
 

Oregonians soundly defeat tax increase, triggering cuts to services

Well, looks like I might not get a job here next year after I get my degree now. This state is falling apart. I'm really worried about my future now...

Re: Oregon - Measure 30 Fails
 

Why does your job require a tax hike?

Is it cut on the growth? Because I guarentee that those programs will not lose a dime unless they are cancelled.

You think that's bad? Try taking a look down south a bit.

Also, I'm curious what your job is too.

Mabye he wants to work in government. Or teaching.

I grew up in San Diego and went up to Oregon for my undergrad.

Their economy is imploding--nothing as bad as down here. We have revenue and industry to keep plodding along until the atmosphere shapes up.

Oregon, however, has no industry and no taxes (only homeowner taxes). There are a lot of other problems, as well, but their economy is in much worse shape than ours.

Re: Re: Oregon - Measure 30 Fails
 

Did you read it? "Rejection of the tax package automatically triggers 544 million dollars in spending cuts on May first."

I'm in the middle of getting my master's degree for middle/secondary teaching.

Again I will ask, are they cutting increases in spending? Or decreasing money overall? I.e. instead of 7% growth for the programs, is it down to 4%? Or will the programs get less funding this year then last?

You're obviously not from Oregon. The failure of Measure 30 means that 544 millions dollars that was allocated in the budget this year is gone. There haven't been increases for quite a while, since Measure 5 passed. Each year since 1990 the legislature tries to find a way to do more with less money. We never had a sales tax, and Measure 5 set a limit on property taxes and moved education control away from local control almost entirely into state control. We're already operating at sub-standard levels, now we have to take our inadequate budget and somehow slash 544 million from it. They are cutting everything, whatever had the slightest budgeted increase in spending is gone. We're literally to the point of letting hundreds of prisoners out of prison early.

I was answering Ustwo's question "why does your job require a tax hike?" - because now instead of having money to hire teachers to replace retiring teachers and deal with population increases (school districts get a set number of funds per each child), our state is going to be forced to lay off teachers unless something can be worked out before May.

At least a majority of oregoninians support their own economic downfall. That's what democracy is all about.

To answer your question directly, current programs are being cut, because they are not even being funded to keep up with inflation.

Yes, sorry, this is so frustrating for me that I have trouble finding the right words. I'm flustered.

Actually, mainly due to retired Californians, along with some special measures that severely restrict tax measures from passing (e.g., in order for a tax measure to pass, over 50% of the registered voters have to show up to the polls, and a majority of them have to cast a yes vote).

By electing Gov. Pawlenty, Minnesotans have ratified a similar plan....its disturbing to say the least. My mother is a teacher, and it appears that her job is once again in jeopardy. never mind that they're understaffed already... what part of "critical economic investment" do people not understand?

I'm sure they will do just fine.

Less government rarely hurts.

To put this in concrete terms:

It means kids will have less school supplies, like paper, glue, and books.

It means cuts in music and art programs.

It means larger class sizes and less time for individual instrution.

It means fewer teachers and not even a cost of living raise for those who remain.


That, Ustwo, is what it really means.

And those are just the effects I happen to know about.

Now please tell me how any of these are a "good" thing?

Let's take it a bit further, Lebell,

My niece (7 years old) only goes to school from Tuesday to Friday. I *think* my sister-in-law can pay extra for the "extra" day of instruction. The schools were already having trouble, imagine her state of education once she graduates with this approx. year less of instruction (cumulative days off each week, haven't bothered to calculate it).

The better teachers (and graduates) are recruited to other states--a situation called a "brain drain."

Many local communities are closing primary schools.

In Ashland, the community made a choice to close a primary school, not rebuild a middle school, and send the middle schoolers to high school on shifting schedules.

At SOU last year, we had a 5% cut across the board--that's every department. Students had to print their own syllabus (I know it's seems minor, but that's how barebones the cuts are going). That is, we've been making things "lean" for the past decade. In the words of one professor, There ain't no more to cut, bub!

wilbjammin: how much of a tax increase would have this been? $1000 a year? more? less?

Here's the text:

http://www.sos.state.or.us/elections.../guide/m30.htm

and here's a summary:

I haven't gone through both sites, but these seem to be the pro and against main sites:

pro: http://www.yeson30.com/

against: http://www.stoporegontax.com/

Thank you Lebell, you're so level-headed it's almost frightening.
And, actually, the public schools are losing $285 Million, according to the bill. That means, my old school district, the Hillsboro School District,who would recieve the biggest percentage of that money, 19%, they have to cut about $54 million.

Last year, we had to cut about half that, and we lost 17 days of school in order to make up for it. and that's AFTER closing an elementary school and firing a good load of first year teachers.

Ustwo, that DOES make a difference, we weren't, and aren't fine. This is serious for us.

the Oregon University System recieves only about $15 million from this package, but generally speaking, that's the same as one of the school districts, besides HSD, so it hurts us quite a bit too.

Lastly, smooth

You're also a part of Southern? are you a teacher or student?

I completed my undergrad at Southern. Now I'm back in So Cal.

Oregon was and continues to be one of the most fiscally irresponsible states in the union. Like some of you who are directly affected by taxation, I chose to leave the state. Until serious tax reform takes place, including the sacred PERS sytem, Oregon's citizens will continue to suffer the consequences.

This is very difficult for me! Some of you may have seen my rant in a post about why people don't like to pay taxes, in general. As a kindergarten teacher (1/2 time) I will loose my assistant. I already have more students then I've ever had before due to having to cut teaching positions in the last few years. Without an assistant I'm wondering how I will deal with: the special needs child that is not yet identified; getting simple things like snack done and tying shoes while still teaching; meeting the individual needs of children; getting kids to the bathroom; and on and on. We will have less supplies and more demand. Parents are not able to volunteer for the most part; they are working to support their families. It is a very grim situation!

The district I work for has 3 elementary (down from 6 -- the rural school were all closed), 1 middle and 1 high school. Each elementary school has approx. 625 students. With measure 30 not passing there will need to be about 45 lay offs of teaching staff! Already at the middle school class size is over 30. At the high school this means no sports programs, no talented and gifted/excelled classes. We will be offering the bare minimum in the way of education.

Just to set the record straight. Measure 30 was not a pernament tax increase. It was a temporary sir charge on income tax until the economy improves. The failure of this measure is a sad day for students throughout the state! (As well as the safety of all citizens and healthcare of many.)

Labelle states play a game. Its called 'Won't someone please think of the children', at least thats what I call it. What they do is fund EVERYTHING else, pork and all, and THEN get to the schools. That way they can say 'we have no money for the schools, we MUST raise taxes.' If you did it the other way around and said 'we have no money for the resurfacing of highway 31, and new tennis courts at the park in state rep Y's district'' you would find a lot less caring. If the state is 800 MILLION in the hole someone somewhere really fucked up and cuts NEED to be made.

Why does it cost so much more now as a percentage then before?

I cannot say for certain that there is pork funded elsewhere, but then again, neither can you.


Are you really asking for a lesson in basic macro economics?

One thing to say is that this isn't a new issue: voters have been rejecting tax increases for the past 10 years (that's about the extent of my experience with Oregon).

There are a number of things that contributed to the fiscal crisis, besides irresponsibility (although I don't deny that it might be an issue):

The logging industry was essentially shut down. Most of Oregon is forest and just about half the state lived and worked in the logging industry. For a variety of reasons, the economy hasn't yet shifted from mills to something else--whatever that may be. Thus, the towns in the southern half of the state are shutting down and transforming into skeleton towns.

A few misguided criminal justice reforms put such strain on a struggling economy that it finally slipped over the edge.

The influx of retirees means that they have people on limited incomes voting against tax increases (remember that these retirees are also homeowners, the type of tax that exists in Oregon), not stimulating the economy as much as younger citizens would, not as supportive of schools as families and locals are, and basically gentrifying the southern economies.

I don't know, these are the things that I understood while living there. My grandparents seem to share my opinion on this subject, too. Of course, they're part of the problem. The interesting thing is that one of the projected economies Oregon is shifting to, is one that caters to this retirement crowd. That is, nature attractions, retirement centers, and geriatric care.

A tax limitation measure passed in 1990. I don't have time to find the articles right now to share the specifics, but this whole issue can be traced to ballot Measure 5 and the likes of Bill Sizemore. Research on your own if you want, otherwise you'll have to wait for a follow-up post by me later this evening.

I can say for certain that they are going to mention not enough money for the schools before doing any real cuts. Thats how they work.


Yes please. If say taxes were 10% (just a round number) 10 years ago why would they need say 15% today to do the same thing? Its not as if income froze while inflation continued and todays 10% would be more then 10 years ago 10% based soley on inflation.

Very well, taxes may be at 10% (Oregon doesn't have sales tax, btw), but there are fewer companies to pay the tax (as has been mentioned). Property tax has also been fairly flat.

But there has been no corresponding decrease in number of students in the various districts.

And inflation to the mix and you have a net negative growth of funding to services.

Are you reading our posts?

There hasn't been a tax increase in 14 years.

BTW, it is as if income froze--because it has.

Forgot to add:

I think you missed the part regarding the effect of the logging freeze. This isn't only a case of inflation versus revenue.

The logging industry was the primary source of income for the state, now that's gone and they haven't developed new ways to make up for the loss yet. Oregon has experienced a loss of revenue over the past decade while not instituting higher taxes. I'm not saying that's wrong, just that expenditures are going to outpace revenue eventually regardless of inflation and holdnig all else equal.

Truth is, schools in Oregon have been being hit for the last three years. This is not a new threat! Every district is down to the minimum. I just learned today that my very small district is loosing 2.1 million dollars.

There is no slush fund in Oregon because there is a manditory "kicker" in which we are given back any extra funds through rebates. Therefore, there is nothing to fall back on in this difficult economy.

Also, taxes have not only not increased, they have decreased since 1992 (percentage). The reason for that is in ballot measure 5, there is a clause that states that tax payers may not be taxed more than what was budgeted, even if cost of living increases and that the budget from last year can not exceed the previous year's budget.

Oregonions that whine about taxes need to face reality, imho. We pay a low $30 fee for license tabs. We pay property tax somewhat similar to California -- maybe even lower. We pay no sales tax. Luxury taxes only go so far. I am wondering why people don't want to pay for the many privilages we have! :confused:

When I first moved to Oregon, in 1992, I was very impressed with the quality of education and services. Now I am disappointed. Maybe I should move to Denver?

Well, here is a study on Oregon tax policy. As in most states, the poor pay a higher share of their income than the rich. I don't know how Measure 30 would have affected this.

http://www.itepnet.org/wp2000/or%20pr.pdf

Of course, Bush's tax cut doesn't help -- it just makes the tax system even more regressive...

http://www.ctj.org/pdf/gwbor.pdf

Do some comparisons against Nebraska, for those that whine. I just paid $89 to relicense my 1977 Chevy pick-up. I'm going to have to shell out $165 to relicense my wife's 1997 Saturn. We have property, income and sales tax, coupled with user's fees and sur charges. If you want, sexymama, I'll dig up some hard figures and percentages for you. I just don't want to think about it right now.

Yep, i know all about p'shawlenty and his "no new taxes(at least on the state level if you don't take into account fee increases)" plan. How many day care centers have closed since he "balanced" the budget?
The only "critical economic investmen" some people care to make is to their own bank accounts at the expense of the general public.

Another fact I just learned about measure 30 is that Oregon is the first state in over 10 years, as a result of 30, to lower cigarette tax by $.10 a pack. Now there is just something wrong there. (Sorry smokers, but you do cost more in the way of health care.)

As a student of OSU and resident of Oregon since....forever, this really sucks. 5 public schools have already been shut down in my home town because of the budget crisis and the failure of measure 30 means I'm going to be paying about 200 more dollars a term to go to school. Ug, what are we going to do now?

It would seem that every state in the Union is in financial hot water.

It might help if people were told where the money actually went. How much to each department, and where that money was allocated. Otherwise, people just think that the money is being wasted in some bureaucracy somewhere and the politicians are threatening to make cuts only where they will feel it the most rather than where they will feel it the least.

I also can't believe that Oregon doesn't have a state sales tax. Seems to me, there's a source of revenue right there. A nice 7% sales tax would be hard to beat and would probably give you a nice injection of revenue.

Also, 10 cents a pack tax increase on smokes is rediculous. Try a buck. That will bring in some money. Smokers will still smoke, that's for sure. I have no pity for them and their cancer sticks.

Everywhere, the situation is the same, everybody wants the good life, but nobody wants to pay for it. In a way, this is just another example of the failure of liberalism. The ideal of everyone investing towards the betterment of the society as a whole has gone right out the window. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer and the rich like that just fine. They get to keep their money and the get a good source of "keep em dumb, keep em stupid, and keep em working". Meanwhile, their kids are shipped off to private schools for the best education possible.

Public schools kind of suck anyhow. Privatize and regulate the system I say, or go with homeschooling.

Alaska seems to always need bush teachers. There are large numbers of Oregonians that work in AK in the summer. It is the most seen out of state plate up here.

http://www.alaska.edu/atp/teachers/vacancies.htm

Some places are nice, some are not.

What about a DODs teacher for overseas? Okinawa had a very nice COLA package.

If government would turn over the production of education to the open market we wouldn't have this problem. Taxes are not the problem, government is. We need tax cuts. We need government to stop producing a lot of things. Private firms could produce more education for a fraction of the money. Maybe you could look into the voucher issue if you are going to get into teaching to make a difference. Good luck.