Forum to spotlight measures 66 and 67

Only a few weeks away from a special election on Jan. 26, the Portland State Alumni Association and ASPSU are working together to bring voter attention to Measures 66 and 67. A voter education forum will be held today, Friday, Jan. 8, in the Smith Memorial Student Union Ballroom at 5 p.m.

According to Jim Turner, director of communication for the Alumni Association, the event will feature a panel of experts comprising two current Portland State professors, an Oregon state economist and representatives from two sides of the debate, the groups “Say Yes on 66 and 67” and “Oregonians Against Job-Killing Taxes.”

Paul De Muniz, current Oregon Chief Justice and 1972 Portland State alumnus, will moderate the forum.
“We want to cover all sides of the issue, they will be given ten minutes each to talk about the measures and their points of view,” Turner said. “The panel of experts is going to discuss the impact of these measures. The PSU professors and the state economist are simply stating the impact of a yes or no vote.”

The deadline to register to vote in the special election was Tuesday. According to Katie Markey, ASPSU legislative affairs director, 884 new voters registered on campus during the special election, a figure she said is “just amazing.”

“Most people don’t even realize that there’s an election, they are only aware of the bigger elections,” Markey said. “So, part of our goal is to tell people about Jan. 26 and for people to see both sides of the story. We want them to be informed.”

Markey said as a nonpartisan organization, ASPSU cannot take a stand on the ballot measures but the group does have voter pamphlets available for students. Markey said she could also inform students of the impact of a yes and no vote on the measures.

“Measure 66 is a proposed increase in income tax for individuals making $125,000 or more and Measure 67 increases the corporate minimum tax from $10 to $150,” Markey said. “We at student government will be doing ballot measure presentations in classes and give out hand-outs that say this is what a ‘yes’ [vote] and this is what a ‘no’ vote means.”

According to ballot information from the state legislature, a “yes” vote on Measure 66 would raise an estimated $472 million to provide funds currently budgeted for education, healthcare and public safety.

A “yes” vote on Measure 67 would raise an estimated $255 million to maintain currently budgeted money for education, healthcare and public safety.

Oregonians Against Job-Killing Taxes believes that an increase in taxes during a recession would have a negative impact on local business, many of which operate on thin profit margins.

Turner said after speakers from both groups present their views to the audience, the panel of experts will provide commentary on the economic impact of the measures. The audience will also get the chance to ask questions after the panel discussion.

The event will be recorded by the Oregon State Bar Association and will be available for public viewing next week on www.osbar.org.

Those involved in the forum:
Oregonians Against Job-Killing Taxes; Say Yes on 66 and 67; Dr. Tom Potiowsky, state economist; Dr. Anthony Rufolo, professor of urban studies and planning; Dr. Richard Clucas, professor of political science.