Oregon Ballot Measure 50 (1997)
From Ballotpedia
Measure 50 was on the May 20, 1997 ballot in Oregon as a legislatively-referred constitutional amendment by the Oregon State Legislature in an attempt to repeal Measure 47 which had been enacted in 1996. Measure 50 was approved.
- Yes: 429,443 (55.7%)
- No: 341,781 (44.3%)[1]
Supporters of Measure 50
According to a majority of members of the Oregon legislature, Measure 47 lacked precision about the assessment of property taxes, had unintended consequences, and was likely to draw legal challenges.[2]
After the passage of Measure 47, as part of the ongoing Oregon tax revolt in Oregon, there was some confusion as to how the measure would be interpreted by the courts. One interpretation had the ballot measure reducing property tax revenues by $458 million in the fiscal year 1997-1998, while another interpretation, provided by the Oregon Attorney General,[3] had it providing a reduction of only $270 million. Much of this disagreement had to do with what limitations Measure 47 would place on increases in the assessment of a property's value. Measure 50 limited the adjustments in property tax assessments.
Supporters of Measure 50 believed that it would avoid a lengthy legal battle as well as budget uncertainty about the possible effects of Measure 47.
Opponents of Measure 50
Opponents argued that Measure 50, rather than being a re-write of 47, was an attempt to water down the limitations imposed by Measure 47. Indeed, the estimated financial impact of Measure 50 was a $361 million reduction, rather than Measure 47's intended $458 million reduction.
External links
- Oregon Voter's Guide page for Measure 50--includes the full text of the measure, explanatory statement, financial impact estimates, and arguments for and against.
References
- ↑ 1997 election results
- ↑ Voter's Guide to Measure 50
- ↑ [http://www.doj.state.or.us/agoffice/summary.shtml AG s assessment of Measure 47]
| |||||
