Oregon Ballot Measure 8 (2000)
From Ballotpedia
Oregon Ballot Measure 8 (2000) is an initiated constitutional amendment that links the rate of growth of state government spending to the rate of growth of personal income in the state. The measure would limit all state spending, regardless of the source of the funds, to no more than 15 percent of total personal income of Oregonians earned in the two calendar years immediately preceding the budget period (biennium).
If the state collects revenues in excess of the limit, the measure would require that those excess revenues be distributed to Oregon taxpayers in proportion to the income taxes they paid in the biennium.
The Legislature could vote to increase spending beyond the limit, but only if the Governor specifically declares an emergency, and three-fourths of the elected members of both the House and the Senate vote for the increased level of spending. [1]
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Official Ballot Title
Amends Constitution: Limits State Appropriations To Percentage Of State's Prior Personal Income[2]
Proponents
Don McIntire, Joe W. Foxall, and Ron Sunseri
Results
This measure failed at the November 2000 General Election.
Support
[3] The chief petitioners of the initiative argued that the measure was simply a way to control government spending, without limiting taxes or requiring budget cuts, and said that "Measure 8 will result in state budgets based on the peoples' ability to pay, rather than on the government's ability to spend". They believed the measure would inspire the legislature to find more efficient ways to spend the money they have and that it would stimulate the economy due to more money being circulated. They called the measure "good for Oregonians and their government".
Many supporters argued that government spending had gotten too out of hand and something needed to be done about it. People liked the idea that government's spending would be based on what citizens could afford to pay for, while still leaving plenty of flexibility for how the government uses the money.
The Libertarian Party of Oregon said, "It is time we asked government to compete, to innovate, to make priorities, to stop taking us for granted".
Opposition
[4] Those who opposed the measure worried about cuts to important funding. Professors United to Save Higher Education (PUSHE) said, "This measure would limit spending from all sources that support our institutions, including Federal dollars, tuition fees, gifts and other sources".
Governor (until 2003) John Kitzhaber, M.D. and others pointed out that the measure would be a $5 Billion budget cut. Kitzhaber went onto say,
"[Measure 8] also puts a cap on the billions of dollars we get in federal funds and from non-tax revenues. Instead of using those dollars for Oregon's critical needs, we will have to turn them away. That won't lower your tax bill. It just means that more of your federal tax dollars will stay in Washington DC or go to other states. And where will the state cuts come from? From all state budgets K-12 schools, our universities and community colleges, health care, repairing and maintaining roads and bridges, state police and prisons and more.
References
- ↑ Explanatory Statement of this measure from the State Voting Guide
- ↑ Detailed information about this initiative from the Secretary of State
- ↑ Arguments in Favor from the State Voting Guide
- ↑ Arguments in Opposition from the State Voting Guide
