Ballot measures

Union-Backed Group Files Corporate Tax Hike Initiatives

Chris Lehman — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 23:28:41 +0000

Two days after a proposed tax hike faltered in the Oregon House, a union-backed group has filed initiatives to raise taxes on corporations. The move by Our Oregon Friday could be a repeat of a bitter tax fight three years ago.

Our Oregon has successfully led two tax campaigns in the last few years.

Public Safety Levy Will Be On May Ballot In Lane County

Rachael McDonald — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 00:35:08 +0000

Lane County residents will vote this May on a property tax measure to fund jail beds. The Board of Commissioners Tuesday decided to put a five year public safety levy on the ballot. It was a 4 to 1 vote.

Oregon Same-Sex Marriage Supporters File Initiative For 2014

Chris Lehman — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 00:20:59 +0000

SALEM, Ore. – Oregon voters could decide next year whether to legally recognize same-sex marriages. Supporters of gay marriage submitted an initiative Monday aimed at putting such a question on the Oregon ballot in November of 2014.

Nine states including Washington issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. But Oregon can't, since voters defined marriage as between one man and one woman nearly a decade ago. It would take a statewide vote to reverse that.

Latest Eyman Initiative Would Extend Washington Signature-Gathering Period

Austin Jenkins — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 00:35:05 +0000

Washington initiative promoter Tim Eyman says he wants to make it easier to put an initiative on the ballot. Eyman submitted nearly 350,000 signatures Thursday for his latest ballot measure. But critics are suspicious.

Feds Silent So Far On Marijuana Ballot Measures

Chris Lehman — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 23:47:14 +0000

Two years ago, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder opposed a California initiative to legalize marijuana. But this year, the Justice Department has been silent on similar measures before voters in Oregon, Washington and Colorado. Monday, a group of former federal drug officials urged the Obama administration to weigh in.

Oregon Supreme Court Affirms Unlimited Campaign Contributions

Chris Lehman — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 23:31:03 +0000

Oregon political campaigns will continue to have access to unlimited campaign contributions. That's the upshot of a ruling Thursday from the Oregon Supreme Court.

Oregon Politicians Mostly Mum On Marijuana Legalization Measure

Chris Lehman — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 23:59:00 +0000

Oregon and Washington are contemplating a dramatic shift in drug policy this November. But the initiatives to legalize marijuana are getting little attention from state lawmakers on the campaign trail.

Judge Rules Wash. Supermajority Requirement For Taxes Unconstitutional

Tom Banse — Wed, 30 May 2012 23:31:04 +0000

A King County judge Wednesday ruled that Washington voters cannot impose a two thirds majority requirement to raise taxes on the state legislature. Superior Court Judge Bruce Heller found voter approved anti-tax Initiative 1053 to be unconstitutional. But the ruling is far from the last word on the matter.

A group of Democratic state lawmakers and their allies sued to overturn the requirement for a two-thirds vote of the legislature to raise taxes. Washingtonians have repeatedly approved that high threshold at the ballot.

But a county judge in Seattle accepted the plaintiffs' argument that the supermajority requirement conflicts with the state constitution. It says a simple majority is all it takes to pass a bill.

R-74 Campaign Hopes For Boost From President's Marriage Comments

Austin Jenkins — Wed, 09 May 2012 23:24:39 +0000

Northwest gay rights supporters are cheering President Obama’s comments that he thinks same sex couples should be able to marry. But organizers of a petition drive to repeal Washington’s new marriage equality law hope to capitalize on the President’s new stance.

'Who Signed' Posts R-71 Petition Signers Online

Austin Jenkins — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 02:08:35 +0000

MarriAs promised, gay rights activists have posted the names and addresses of more than 100,000 Washington voters in an online searchable database. These voters signed petitions in 2009 to repeal Washington’s “everything but marriage” domestic partnership law.