Most people paying attention already cringe at the sight of Sizemore's name listed as chief sponsor and instinctively vote "NO." Nevertheless we debated each measure and justified our endorsements (or lack thereof) regardless of whether it came from a (civilly) convicted racketeer.

Measure 54 & 55

Yes These are housekeeping measures that should be approved.

Measure 56

AMENDS CONSTITUTION: PROVIDES THAT MAY AND NOVEMBER PROPERTY TAX ELECTIONS ARE DECIDED BY MAJORITY OF VOTERS VOTING

YES A number of local tax measures have failed, even though they've received the majority of the votes cast in the election. This measure allows those bills to pass based on the democratic system of simple majority. While this is not a complete repeal of the "double majority rule," it is a step in the right direction.

Measure 57

INCREASES SENTENCES FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING, THEFT AGAINST ELDERLY AND SPECIFIED REPEAT PROPERTY AND IDENTITY THEFT CRIMES; REQUIRES ADDICTION TREATMENT FOR CERTAIN OFFENDERS.

YES Kevin "Always a bridesmaid, never a bride" Mannix has his hands in another measure which could be devastating to the legal system. This measure (57) is intended to override Mannix-sponsored Measure 61 should it pass. We've decided this measure is the lesser of two evils. However, had this measure stood alone on the ballot, we would have voted no. Drug addiction is a medical issue and jail sentences are not likely to help. It's time that Oregonians come together and focus on PREVENTATIVE measures, not reactive.

Measure 58

PROHIBITS TEACHING PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENT IN LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH FOR MORE THAN TWO YEARS

NO Anti-immigration racist tendencies rear their ugly heads in this measure. How can the state determine what the learning capacity of a student is? This measure gives a time frame on how long a student has to learn English. This decision should include teachers' and parents' input. There is no way that we can create a one-size-fits-all solution to learning English. Besides, shouldn't all students end high school knowing English as well as another language?

Measure 59

CREATES AN UNLIMITED DEDUCTION FOR FEDERAL INCOME TAXES ON INDIVIDUAL TAXPAYERS' OREGON INCOME-TAX RETURNS

NO We've seen this before (actually three times) from Mr. Sizemore and we still think that it doesn't deserve a yes. This measure lowers the amount of money coming into the state. We feel that the more money that is kept local, the better.

Measure 60

TEACHER "CLASSROOM PERFORMANCE," NOT SENIORITY, DETERMINES PAY RAISES; "MOST QUALIFIED" TEACHERS RETAINED, REGARDLESS OF SENIORITY

NO This measure is eerily similar to a 2000 measure that was rejected by a large majority. We agree that the current education system could use an overhaul; teachers should be rated through a combination of seniority and performance just like any other profession. This measure focuses only on performance and ignores other important factors. Also, how about holding the administrators responsible?  

Measure 61

CREATES MANDATORY MINIMUM PRISON SENTENCES FOR CERTAIN THEFT, IDENTITY THEFT, FORGERY, DRUG, AND BURGLARY CRIMES

NO The billion dollar cost  of this measure would cripple state government and the sentencing is draconian. Worse yet, no money at all is alloted for preventive measures. Until we can effectively stop drug abuse before it starts, treatment is the next best thing. Longer jail sentences, however, only worsen the problem.

Measure 62

AMENDS CONSTITUTION: ALLOCATES 15% OF LOTTERY PROCEEDS TO PUBLIC SAFETY FUND FOR CRIME PREVENTION, INVESTIGATION, PROSECUTION

NO This measure has very little to do with crime prevention, investigation, and prosecution. It targets public schools directly. Taking away 15 percent of the Oregon Lottery revenues from the public school system and parks is a bad idea. It's too bad that we have come to depend on the Oregon Lottery to pay for our schools, but that appears to be the case. Oh wait, there is one more thing you can do: Vote YES on local school bonds.

Measure 63

EXEMPTS SPECIFIED PROPERTY OWNERS FROM BUILDING PERMIT REQUIREMENTS FOR IMPROVEMENTS VALUED AT/UNDER 35,000 DOLLARS

NO While better guidelines on permitting are necessary, that is not the role of the state, but individual municipalities.

Measure 64

PENALIZES PERSON, ENTITY FOR USING FUNDS COLLECTED WITH "PUBLIC RESOURCE" (DEFINED) FOR "POLITICAL PURPOSE" (DEFINED)

NO There is absolutely no reason that  public employees should lose their voice in politics. Employees who do not want to contribute can already opt out of the process. Of course much of the money that comes from public employees gets tied up in fighting Sizemore-sponsored ballot measures, so of course Sizemore is looking to put an end to that.

Measure 65

CHANGES GENERAL ELECTION NOMINATION PROCESSES FOR MAJOR/MINOR PARTY, INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES FOR MOST PARTISAN OFFICES

YES Are you as thoroughly confused by this measure as we were? Truthfully, we're still a little confused by all the nuances, but decided that it's always better to offer voters more opportunity to vote as they see fit rather than what their party dictates. The true fix is to get rid of the two party system.

LOCAL
Yes, yes, YES to local bonds. Schools, roads, public transportation? This is the stuff that taxes were meant to pay for. It's time for Salem to step up and support local services.

24-247 SALEM AREA MASS TRANSIT DISTRICT
Five-Year Local Option Tax to Sustain and Enhance Bus Service
($0.49 per $1,000 of assessed value)
Saturday transit service will stop if this bond does not pass. Buses have already given up Sunday service. How are people who depend on public transportation supposed to get around on the weekends? How much business will be lost if these people cannot make it downtown? Salem's livability is at stake here. Even if you don't use the transit system, support it anyway for the good of the community and the environment.

24-248 CITY OF SALEM   
General Obligation Bond Authorization, for Streets and Bridges  
($99,800,000)
Don't worry, no new bridges will be made with the passing of this measure. It's focus is on repair only, and our current streets and bridges need it desperately.

24-249 SALEM-KEIZER SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 24J
General Obligation Bond Authorization    ($242,100,000)
We are always in favor of supporting schools. This school bond will be used to repair a number of safety concerns and overcrowding in local schools.

See our candidate endorsements here