Oregon Government Funds, Measure 38 (2004)

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Oregon Ballot Measure 38 (2004) appeared on the November 2004 ballot in Oregon as an initiated state statute, where it was defeated.

  • Yes: 670,935
  • No: 1,037,722 Defeated

Summary

The measure requires the state to assume SAIF's authority over accident fund; reinsure fund; satisfy SAIF's obligations under its existing policies; use fifty percent of any excess surplus (meaning any funds exceeding reserves and surplus necessary to satisfy future liabilities) to satisfy policyholder claims in litigation before October 2003; transfer forty percent of any excess surplus to new fund; sell SAIF's assets; transfer proceeds to same fund; and reinsure, otherwise resolve SAIF's remaining liabilities. Dedicates new fund to supporting schools, local law enforcement; providing medications to seniors, medically needy; promoting job growth.[1]

Official title

Abolishes Saif; State Must Reinsure, Satisfy Saif's Obligations; Dedicates Proceeds, Potential Surplus To Public Purposes[2]

Support

Oregonians for Accountability publically supported the measure, arguing that SAIF had become a corrupt organization, saying, "How can Oregonians put their faith in SAIF when the agency has placed more importance on serving itself than the businesses and injured workers it was created to protect? Clearly SAIF has shown we cannot trust it to right its own wrongs".[3]

Citizens for a Sound Economy supported the abolishment of SAIF, citing it as a big-government monopoly that destroys the private market.

Other supporters who agreed with the overall view that SAIF had failed to carry out the mission it was created for were:

  • Philip J. Romero, Ph.D., Former Chief Economist, State of California
  • Oregon Restaurant Association
  • Accident Fund Insurance Company of America
  • Senator Kurt Schrader
  • Representative Tom Butler

Opposition

A number of small businesses in Oregon expressed their disapproval of abolishing SAIF. Many of those opposed to the measure argued that SAIF is helpful to small businesses because it keeps workers compensation affordable and is the most efficient workers compensation insurance company in the country. Some also argued that the measure was more about private companies who may have wanted SAIF's business than doing what's best for Oregonians. [4]

Some opponents of the measure included:

  • Oregon Farm Bureau
  • Oregon Nurses Association
  • Oregon Building Industry Association
  • Gene Derfler, Former Senate President
  • Theodore R. Kulongoski, Governor of Oregon

See also

References

  1. ↑ Measure 38 Summary from the State Voting Guide
  2. ↑ Detailed information on this initiative from the Secretary of State
  3. ↑ Arguments in Favor from the State Voting Guide
  4. ↑ Arguments in Opposition from the State Voting Guide
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