The following diary discusses whom is behind the campaigns to pass and defeat every single one of Oregon’s ballot measures this fall. It discusses who is funding them and what their political leanings are.
Cross-Posted from Loaded Orygun: http://www.loadedorygun.net/sh…
Data from: ORESTAR
Measure Summary:
Measure Type:
C-Constitutional.
S-Statutory.
Legislative Referrals:
Measure 54 (C):
Summary: This corrects a bizarre flaw in the state constitution that prohibits citizens under 21 from voting in school board elections (a provision which is, of course, not in effect but should be removed anyways).
Measure 55 (C):
Summary: Minor fixes to the state’s redistricting process.
Known Opposition: None.
Measure 56 (S):
Summary: Partially repeals the Double Majority law requiring that 50% of registered voters cast ballots in an election for a bond measure to pass for May and November votes.
Measure 57 (S):
Summary: Proposes an alternative to Kevin Mannix’s (R-Of Course) property crime sentence minimum initiative. Focuses state policy on treatment rather than prison for low level drug and property crimes.
Citizen Constitutional and Statutory Measures:
Measure 58 (S):
Chief Sponsor: Bill Sizemore.
Summary: This measure would require English immersion rather than ESL for children for whom English is not their primary language.
Measure 59 (S):
Chief Sponsor: Bill Sizemore
Summary: This is at least the third time that Sizemore and his gang have proposed this measure, which makes federal income taxes fully deductible on state returns. This measure largely benefits high wage earners and would blow a huge hole in the state’s budget.
Measure 60 (S):
Chief Sponsor: Bill Sizemore
Summary: This would require “merit-pay” for teachers in public schools.
Measure 61 (S):
Chief Sponsor: Kevin Mannix
Summary: This is Kevin Mannix’s draconian sentencing measure for property and low-level drug crimes.
Measure 62 (C):
Chief Sponsor: Kevin Mannix.
Summary: Dedicates 15% of Oregon Lottery proceeds to crime fighting/prevention efforts.
Measure 63 (S):
Chief Sponsor; Bill Sizemore
Summary: This measure would allow minor building changes without a permit.
Measure 64 (S):
Chief Sponsor: Bill Sizemore
Summary: Sizemore brings back an old and twice-failed idea to ban public-employee unions from using dues for political purposes.
Measure 65 (S):
Chief Sponsor: Former SOS Phil Keisling (D)
Summary: Creates a Top-Two Open Primary in which all parties run their candidates on the same ballot and the top two, regardless of party affiliation, advance to the general election.
Who’s Involved?:
Note: I am doing this down here because some groups support/oppose multiple measures and so it’s simpler to do it this way. Also note that the person listed as “leading” each group is simply the treasurer of the committee.
Committee to Protect Local Control of Schools-No on 58-led by known Democratic Activist Kevin Neely, minimal COH.
Defend Oregon-Yes on 56 and 57, No on 58-64, led by Kevin Neely:
Contributions: $500k.
Expenditures: $620k.
COH: -$120k.
Largest Contributor: Oregon State Council of Service Employees-$455k.
Don’t Pay to the Test-No on 60, led by Kevin Neely, minimal COH.
Don’t Silence our Voice-No on 64, led by Kevin Neely, minimal COH.
No Way to Fight Crime-No on 61, led by Kevin Neely, minimal COH.
Oregon Anti-Crime Alliance PAC, No on 57, Yes on 61 and 62, led by Kevin Mannix (R):
Contributions: $76k.
Expenditures: $60k.
COH: $16k.
Largest Contributor: Loren Parks, a crazy “sex therapist” originally from Oregon, now lives in Vegas-$75k.
Oregonians Against Unfair Elections, No on 65, led by Kevin Neely:
Contributions: $2,250.
Expenditures: $1,500.
COH: $750.
Largest Contributor: Loan from PacWest Communications-$2,250.
Oregonians Against Unsafe Housing, No on 63, led by Kevin Neely:
Contributions: $150k.
Expenditures: $10k.
COH: $140k.
Largest Contributor: Barnes Labor Management Cooperative Committee-$100k.
PAC 483, No on 59 and 64, led by Donna Bandeen, a longtime D activist:
Contributions: $9k.
Expenditures: $500.
COH: $8.5k.
Largest Contributor: Portlanders for Accountability (a union-backed group formed to fight changes to Portland’s city charter last year)-$5k.
The Better Way to Fight Crime Commitee, Yes on 57, led by Kevin Neely, minimal COH.
Voting Matters, Yes on 56, led by Kevin Neely, minimal COH.
Vote Yes on 65 Make Every Voter Count, Yes on 65, led by Michael Greenfield, a management consultant, minimal COH.
Let me know what you think. There may be other groups, the Taxpayer Association of Oregon for one has yet to officially jump in, but this is it for now.
Fire away!