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Measures 66 & 67 Impacts

December 01 2009

Measures 66 & 67 will be coming up for vote. The outcome of the Special Election will either help maintain planned services OR cause extensive cuts if the measures fail to pass. Failure of the measures to pass will have direct impact on services for all children and families, including those experiencing disability.

If the Measures fail, schools and vital public services will face at least an additional $727 million in cuts.

Everyone has taken a hit in this difficult economy. Oregon's schools have already made painful cuts, with a half billion dollars already slashed from their budgets. As a result, may children are facing a school year with fewer teachers, some of the largest class sizes in the nation, fewer days to learn, and lesser of the arts, music, and PE. Last spring, in the wake of the recession's $4 billion blow to the state's ability to pay for schools, public safety, and health care, the legislature enacted $2 billion in cuts, drew on federal stimulus and reserves, and passed reasonable tax increases on corporations with more than $250,000 in profit and Oregonians with more than $250,000 in taxable income. Measures 66 & 67 on January's ballot will prevent further cuts.

In a recent report issued by the nonpartisan Legislative Revenue Office, if the tax increases are approved, Oregon's economy will actually be better off than if state government cuts spending by that amount to balance its budget. Under the new plan, Oregon will still have the fifth lowest corporate taxes in the nation.

If the Measures fail, implications for people with developmental disabilities and families whose children experience disability, include a cut list of:

• elimination of all support service brokerages on January 1, 2011
• elimination of the Fairview Housing Trust Fund
• elimination of all developmental disability (DD) employment and community inclusion services
• elimination of transportation services for individuals with developmental disabilities
• 10% reduction in developmental disabilities residential rates (comprehensive services)

Will these changes affect my business? Will these changes affect me?

97.5% of taxpayers will NOT see their taxes increased and Oregon will still have the 5th lowest corporate taxes in the nation, lower than any other West Coast state. 88% of businesses in Oregon will pay only $150, excluding sole proprietors--who pay no business tax. For more information visit the VOTE Yes for Oregon website.

Vote YES for Oregon.

Information on Measures 66 & 67, can be found by visiting Stand for Children, and VOTE Yes for Oregon.