Signature Gatherers

[October 29th, 2003] Oregon's new ban on signature bounty-hunting is aimed at curbing all sorts of roguery, including the misrepresentation of proposed measures.

The new law is getting its first test with the effort of anti-tax activists to refer a big income-tax hike to next year's ballot. Last week, WW revealed that the backers of the ballot measure were using "performance bonuses" to circumvent the ban on per-signature payments (The Nose, WW, Oct. 22, 2003). This week, a spot check on circulators proved at least a couple of signature gatherers are playing fast and loose with the truth.

The petition being circulated would force a vote on a huge temporary income-tax increase passed by the state Legislature in August. Passage of the tax allowed lawmakers to increase funding to several state budgets, including K-12 education and the Oregon Health Plan.

Yet, when a WW staffer approached a circulator (photographed above) outside the downtown Meier & Frank last Thursday afternoon, the following exchange took place.

Petitioner: "Are you a registered voter?"

WW: Yes.

"Want to help schools? You know how they're always taking tax money out of schools? This would put the money in schools."

But this measure would cut taxes, which go to schools.

"Yeah, but the people who are behind this want to take this money, and put it in schools and health care."

Around the corner, another circulator, decked out in a black Daytona Beach muscle shirt, was offering a similar come-on, implying that by signing their names, registered voters were helping an effort to provide funding for "kids" and "health care."

Smelling a conspiracy, WW called Tracy Taylor, who's in charge of hiring and training circulators. The WW staffer, posing as an interested voter, told Taylor he wanted to confirm what a circulator had told him, that the measure would help schools.

"That is incorrect," said Taylor, who seemed genuinely distraught. "He may be confused because the education association is saying that if the tax increase stays, it will give money to schools."

Taylor then asked for a description of the circulator and the location he was working. "I need to find out who this is," he said. "We cannot misrepresent what this measure does." Taylor then said anyone spotting a circulator giving a bogus pitch can give him a call. We suggest you do just that. His number: (503) 233-7343.