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Three Divisive measures

After a year spent successfully defending Oregon’s domestic partnership and anti-discrimination laws, we are looking forward to a General Election — only the second in more than two decades — in which we aren’t fighting an anti-LGBT ballot measure.
But that doesn’t mean we aren’t keeping busy this election season. Our Equality PAC has been hard at work supporting fair-minded candidates in key races across Oregon. And we have made endorsements in a host of ballot measures that could have serious, lasting impacts on the quality of life for all Oregonians.

This week we are featuring three ballot measures that threaten to take resources from schools, social services and working families. Measures 59 and 62 would divert your tax dollars, from needed social services, and put it straight into the pockets of the wealthiest of Oregon residents, while Measure 64 would silence the voices of thousands of working Oregonians.

Truly, this November, we are fighting for Oregon’s future.
Next week, we will officially unveil our online Vote Equality voter guide at VoteEquality.com. And, we will release our ballot measure endorsements in groups of two or three over the coming weeks.

Basic Rights Oregon’s 2008 ballot measure strategy involves three key elements:
· We want to play a meaningful role in a growing progressive movement.
· We must stand up for allies who have stood up for LGBT Oregonians, both at the ballot box and in the Legislature.
· We must stop attacks on some of the most marginalized members of our community: LGBT immigrants, LGBT youth, and LGBT people of color.

What Basic Rights Oregon is doing
We are working with progressive coalition partners in order to defeat these measures. We are spreading the word about these destructive measures within the LGBT community, and we are sharing our resources and experience.

What YOU can do:
· VOTE!
· Educate! Talk to your friends, family, neighbors and coworkers about just how destructive these ballot measures can be.
· Volunteer! Send a message to Aubrey@basicrights.org (Portland Metro) or Becky@basicrights.org (Eugene) mentioning which ballot measure campaign(s) you are most interested in working on.

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This Election Season Make Sure to Vote No on Measures 59, 62 and 64!

Measure 59: Vote No!

Ballot Title
Creates an unlimited deduction for federal income taxes on individual taxpayers’ Oregon income tax returns.
Explanation
Cuts $2.54 billion in funds to pay for state police, education, public safety and health care, while providing tax breaks only for the wealthiest Oregonians.
Sponsors
Bill Sizemore
Opposition
Opposed by school advocates, teachers, labor, health care advocates, and senior groups.
Impact
Cuts $2.54 billion in funds to pay for state police, education, public safety and health care, while providing tax breaks only for the wealthiest Oregonians.
More Information
www.defendoregon.org
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Measure 62: Vote No!

Ballot Title
Amends constitution: Allocates 15% of lottery proceeds to public safety fund for crime prevention, investigation, prosecution.
Explanation
Diverts 15% of dedicated lottery funds away from the state school fund to pay for Kevin Mannix’s pet projects.
Sponsors
Kevin Mannix
Opposition
Opposed by school advocates, teachers, labor, health care advocates, and senior groups.
Impact
BRO supports school stability, which is the foundation for creating safe school environments for students and faculty. Measure 62 diverts a voter-approved mandate that requires lottery funds to be spent on schools, taking away nearly $200 million from our schools per budget cycle.
More Information
www.DefendOregon.org
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Measure 64: Vote No!

Ballot Title
Penalizes person, entity for using funds collected with “public resource” (defined) for “political purpose” (defined).
Explanation
Prohibits public employees from using voluntary payroll deductions to donate to non-profits, charities, unions, and organizations of their choice.
Sponsors
Bill Sizemore
Opposition
Opposed by fire fighters, nurses, teachers, labor, police and charities.
Impact
This poorly written and flawed proposal curtails the individual rights of tens of thousands of Oregonians — like teachers, nurses, fire fighters, and police officers — by denying them the ability to make their own decisions about payroll deductions. It silences the voices of charities, but provides a large loophole for lobbyists. And it does nothing to limit the political influence of corporations like Enron.
More Information
www.NoOnMeasure64.com
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