Submitted by stumptown on Thu, 02/07/2008 - 12:08am.
To bad it had to come down to a vote,
We already had an extensive public process in which it was demonstrated via very public process that Portland supports the idea.
Because of that, and because we elected a City Council for this very purpose, a vote wasn't necessary. The only ones who even suggested it are those who wanted to mount an extensive media campaign of misinformation to buy votes the same way monied special interests always do (see: Measure 50) at public expense, and all for the purpose of amassing more private profit and to the detriment of the health and safety of Portlanders.
If you disagree, you might not be a supporter of big oil, or out of town interests, but you support their political agenda and strategy.
Back to reality - seeing a show it looks like it is going to a vote....
A November ballot is a good idea. It allows time for voters to read up on the measure etc..
If we vote in May it is almost assured that most voters will only hear the side of the industry groups and knee jerk anto-tax biggots with radio shows. (sorry Lars - I still love you despite the abuse)
The cigarette lobby spent over 20 dollars per no vote defeating a recent statewide measure. The shorter the period of time between now and the vote the less expensive it will be for Romain et al. to "buy" the election, and the less chance of it passing.
get tired of elected officials punting things to the ballot, especially taxes. Anti-tax political campaign money generally beats pro-tax campaign money. We all know that, we don't need to test it again and mistake it for "the will of the people."
As for letting the people vote on everything via a popular vote - no thanks! I elect people to take the time to figure out how things need to work in the government and then take action to make it better. If I don't like they way they run the government, I'll vote against them next time or - *gulp* run for office myself. Got love living in a republic (you do remember your pledge of allegiance? The part about the Republic?)
And as a parting shot - to the out of town money and the local haters.
Portland voters have not been afraid of taxing themselves for a wide variety of projects.
For instance in the November 2006, Multnomah County Measure 26-81, Metro Measure 26-80, and Portland School District Measure 26-84 were ALL approved. Three taxes, one ballot. Total estimated cost per homeowner for this combination? About $27 per month.
More significantly, the temporary Multnomah County personal income tax was created through voter approval of Ballot Measure 26-48 in May 2003. This was a 1.25 percent tax on personal income. 58 percent of voters approved that tax increase. I imagine the Portland support was equal to or greater than that.
The County income tax raised nearly as much money in three years as is envisioned for 15 years of a street fee.
Bottom-line, there is no such thing as a free lunch. Portland voters know that and have been willing to pay the bill.
.thumbnail.JPG "Artist Justin Harris, Portland")
To bad it had to come down
To bad it had to come down to a vote,
We already had an extensive public process in which it was demonstrated via very public process that Portland supports the idea.
Because of that, and because we elected a City Council for this very purpose, a vote wasn't necessary. The only ones who even suggested it are those who wanted to mount an extensive media campaign of misinformation to buy votes the same way monied special interests always do (see: Measure 50) at public expense, and all for the purpose of amassing more private profit and to the detriment of the health and safety of Portlanders.
If you disagree, you might not be a supporter of big oil, or out of town interests, but you support their political agenda and strategy.
Back to reality - seeing a show it looks like it is going to a vote....
A November ballot is a good idea. It allows time for voters to read up on the measure etc..
If we vote in May it is almost assured that most voters will only hear the side of the industry groups and knee jerk anto-tax biggots with radio shows. (sorry Lars - I still love you despite the abuse)
The cigarette lobby spent over 20 dollars per no vote defeating a recent statewide measure. The shorter the period of time between now and the vote the less expensive it will be for Romain et al. to "buy" the election, and the less chance of it passing.
get tired of elected officials punting things to the ballot, especially taxes. Anti-tax political campaign money generally beats pro-tax campaign money. We all know that, we don't need to test it again and mistake it for "the will of the people."
As for letting the people vote on everything via a popular vote - no thanks! I elect people to take the time to figure out how things need to work in the government and then take action to make it better. If I don't like they way they run the government, I'll vote against them next time or - *gulp* run for office myself. Got love living in a republic (you do remember your pledge of allegiance? The part about the Republic?)
And as a parting shot - to the out of town money and the local haters.
Portland voters have not been afraid of taxing themselves for a wide variety of projects.
For instance in the November 2006, Multnomah County Measure 26-81, Metro Measure 26-80, and Portland School District Measure 26-84 were ALL approved. Three taxes, one ballot. Total estimated cost per homeowner for this combination? About $27 per month.
More significantly, the temporary Multnomah County personal income tax was created through voter approval of Ballot Measure 26-48 in May 2003. This was a 1.25 percent tax on personal income. 58 percent of voters approved that tax increase. I imagine the Portland support was equal to or greater than that.
The County income tax raised nearly as much money in three years as is envisioned for 15 years of a street fee.
Bottom-line, there is no such thing as a free lunch. Portland voters know that and have been willing to pay the bill.