City Club Panel Endorses Ted Wheeler's Oregon Opportunity Initiative

Ted Wheeler
By NIGEL JAQUISS

A City Club of Portland research committee today issued a report endorsing a "yes" vote on Measure 86, otherwise known as the Oregon Opportunity Initiative.

The measure, proposed by State Treasurer Ted Wheeler, would use the state's borrowing capacity to fund college scholarships for needy Oregon students. The Oregon Legislature referred the plan to the ballot last year.

Although there are inherent risks in borrowing money to invest in volatile financial markets, Wheeler has argued that the state's long-term investment returns far exceed the cost of borrowing.

The City Club panel agreed with Wheeler, voting 7-2 to endorse the measure. It's worth noting, however, that none of the eight people the panel interviewed is an independent financial markets or risk management professional.

City Club members will now vote on whether to give the measure its official backing. 


WWeek 2015

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