Statewide Measures

Measure 54:  Vote "Yes".  Constitutional Amendment.  Permits voters who are 18 years old to vote in school board elections. 

Measure 56:  Vote "Yes".  Constitutional Amendment.  Removes the "double majority" requirement for bond measure elections.  For elections held in May or November, this change restores the "simple majority" rule and thus better facilitates construction of new school buildings.

Measure 57:  Vote "Yes".  Statutory Amendment.  Imposes harsher sentences for drug and property crimes and requires treatment for criminals.  This measure offers a more reasonable approach than Measure 61 (below).  Requires first-time convicts to enroll in rehabilitation programs and increases punishment for repeat offenders and those who victimize the elderly.

Measure 58:  Vote "No".  Statutory Proposal.  Creates barriers to learning English. Forces teachers to teach only in English to students with as little as one year in school.  (1) It fails to recognize that every student learns differently; (2) it increases the number of students who will get frustrated and drop out; (3) it will cost schools a half billion dollars in lost funding; (4) it takes away local control from teachers and principals, (5) it's another racist and unjust measure put forward by Bill Sizemore, an enemy of the Latino community who was convicted of fraud in previous election campaigns.   

Measure 59:  Vote "No".  Statutory Amendment. Increases state tax deductions for the rich.  This is another Bill Sizemore measure and it would lower state income taxes for the richest 1% of taxpayers, giving them an average of $15,000 per person, but not one cent of reduction to the middle class, the workers or the poor.  If this measure passes, the rich will save three hundred million dollars over four years, on the backs of those who depend on services and public education.

Measure 60:  Vote "No".  Statutory Amendment. Changes the compensation for teachers. Another Bill Sizemore measure which will result in more tests and less instruction, will disadvantage teachers who agree to take up teaching students with the greatest needs.  It will reduce the funds available for classrooms and take away local control.  It was already rejected by voters in the year 2000.

Measure 61:  Vote "No".  Statutory Amendment. "Son of Measure 11":  imposes extreme criminal sentences.  Kevin Mannix, the "godfather" Measure 11 (the law that has imposed seventy-month jail sentences for youth who have no prior criminal record) proposes more of the same.  If Measure 61 is approved another 6,000 prisoners would be added to the prison system, costing at least two hundred million dollars annually for new prisons.  This would reduce funding for services and education.

Measure 62:  Vote "No".  Constitutional Amendment. Requires that 15% of Lottery income be dedicated to law enforcement.  Another Mannix measure reducing services and education funding.

Measure 63:  Vote "No".  Statutory Amendment. Exempts a homeowner's remodeling projects valued at less than $35,000 from all building codes.   Yet another Bill Sizemore measure, one intended to appear helpful to homeowners but which actually puts them at risk because they would not have to comply with building codes created for their own benefit and to protect their home's value.

Measure 64:  Vote "No".  Statutory Amendment. Prohibits the state from making agreements with public employee unions about membership dues collection.  ANOTHER Bill Sizemore measure, one that was rejected by voters in 1998 and in 2000.  Sizemore continues to try and weaken the unions that are our strongest supporters.  If this measure passes, those unions would no longer have the funds to support just causes like increasing the minimum wage, immigration reform and farmworker union rights.

Measure 65:  Vote "No".  Statutory Amendment. Change the elections system.  Disadvantages  progressive candidates, candidates who are Latino or from other minority groups in legislative districts where those candidates would have the best chances of winning election.

Salem-Keizer Measures

Measure 24-249:  Vote "YES".  Proposed Bond Measure.  Authorizes the Salem-Keizer School District to sell bonds to finance school repairs and new school construction.  The rapid growth of the number of students in the District—today nearly 40,000 and increasing 60% over the next decade—makes it essential to build new schools.  If approved, this bond will not increase the cost of annual property taxes because it will replace bonds that are expiring. 

Measure 24-247:  Vote "YES".  Proposed Tax Levy Increase.  Authorizes increased property taxes to pay for public transit service in Salem-Keizer.  With the cost of gas going up, the Cherriots Transit District is requesting the equivalent of a $4.00 per month increase for an owner of a house assessed at $100,000.  With this increase, service on Saturday can be continued.  Bus riders are already paying an extra 20¢ fare.  Maintaining bus service is more important than ever because of gas prices and because many immigrants can no longer get a driver's license.