Endorsements Redux

[October 24th, 2007] If you’re a registered voter, you should have received your ballot for the Nov. 6 election by now.

If you’ve forgotten our recommendations last week (“Measured Endorsements,” WW , Oct. 17, 2007) on how to vote for the two statewide measures and one City of Portland measure, here’s a thumbnail summary of what we think:

Measure 49: YES

This statewide measure would restore many of the land-use controls gutted by Measure 37, which voters passed in 2004 to help Oregonians whose property was subject to government regulations after they bought it.

SUMMARY : Measure 49 would retain the relief promised by Measure 37 for property owners who want to build as many as three homes. It also would provide some help for those who want to develop four to 10 homes. But it would close down the prospect of Measure 37 claims for larger subdivisions or other developments. A worthy balance.

Measure 50: YES

An amendment to the Oregon Constitution that would raise state tobacco taxes from $1.18 a pack to $2.025, with much of the money used to pay for children’s health insurance.

SUMMARY : Tax policy as a constitutional amendment? Not a great idea. But we recommend it this time for two reasons: An estimated 92,000 Oregonians under age 19 would be insured within three years, and the tax would reduce smoking.

Measure 26-93: YES

A fix to Portland’s Fire and Police Disability and Retirement Fund that would let cops and firefighters injured on the job return to work without sacrificing their post-retirement medical benefits.

SUMMARY : By adding an estimated $11 a year to the average residential property tax bill, injured firefighters and police officers could return to work and keep their retirement medical benefits. Makes sense to us.