This covers the range of measures I voted on, from state, county, city and metro. (Note to ballot measure people: When there are fifteen ballot measures in total, only a sadist reads through all of the material covering the arguments for and against -- I'm no sadist.)
State Measure 94, Repeal of state judge age limit: Yes
We don't have age limits at the Supreme Court -- reason enough to eliminate the limit. But as with most states, elected judge positions are not competitive races, meaning, there's just one name listed at any given position. 75 is an arbitrary age limit, anyway.
State Measure 95, Universities allowed to invest in equities: Yes
If you constrain what universities can invest in, you've essentially cut off its ability to offset risk. The more practical understanding of this is to watch how bonds go up as stocks go down and bonds decrease as stocks increase, then imagine how things would be if you were only allowed to put your money in bonds or hold your cash under the mattress.
State Measure 96, Dedicates 1.5% of state lottery funds to veterans: No
It's not that I have anything against veterans. I'm tired of these types of ballot measures meant to constrict how lottery funds can be spent. Limiting the flexibility of the state to allocate income always worsens a recession's effects.
State Measure 97, Increase of minimum corporate tax for companies earning $25M+: Yes
It won't have the impact many think it will -- go examine Donald's companies to understand how he avoids paying corporate taxes -- but at the same time it's undeniable that Oregon has the lowest corporate tax rate, in effect creating pressure for higher property taxes. The question is, do costs trickle down? They do when there's no competition, so maybe the real problem is a lack of competition.
State Measure 98, Requiring funding for dropout prevention: No
Much like appropriating state lottery funds, this measure effectively requires the state to allocate general funds to specific programs. I support the funding of these types of programs, but the Legislature should have the responsibility and flexibility of funding programs, and political parties and members ought to have to defend their actions rather than use these types of laws to alleviate their duties.
State Measure 99, Outdoor school education fund created with state lottery money: No
I think you can see where I'm going, this year: If the Legislature can't or won't fund it, voters should insist that they do so by writing to their senators and representatives. These programs shouldn't be hard-wired into the state's funds.
State Measure 100, Blocks the sale of exotic wildlife products: Yes
If the feds get to fine people who buy and sell elephant ivory, the state should also have the ability to fine people, too. By piling on, it creates greater jeopardy for people who traffic in such goods. Cutting off rhino horns and leaving them to die is pure evil.
Multnomah County Measure 26-181, Extend maximum term limits of county officials: Yes
In general, I'm against term limits. For one, they're arbitrary, but secondly, they're generally unnecessary as people have the ability to vote someone out through a recall. These term limits are especially meaningless when the offices they cover are nonpartisan.
Multnomah County Measure 26-182, Allow commissioners to run for chair w/o resigning: Yes
This one is mostly about whose convenience matters most, the people or the individual. Normally I'd side with the people, but convenience is not a valid reason to kick someone out.
Multnomah County Measure 26-183, Sheriff's position change from elected to appointed: No.
I like elections. Giving the county chair the power to appoint and fire the sheriff at his/her pleasure seems counter-intuitive to good government.
Multnomah County Measure 26-184, Limits contributions and requires disclosures of higher value donations: Yes
Call it the backlash of the Citizens United ruling. People should have the broader right to transparency, particularly in election money. The broader effect is to limit the politics behind these nonpartisan races.
Multnomah County Measure 26-185, Changes appointment process for the Office of Citizen Involvement: No
Talk about busy work. It creates new rules and changes dates to the appointment process while eliminating rules that fill out vacancies. Someone thought this made for a better process, but all I see is a waste of time.
City of Portland Measure 26-179, Bonds to affordable housing: Yes
This is my preferred method of tackling a lack of affordable housing. Why? Because it directly increases the housing stock as soon as it can be built, and years down the line when they're not needed, they can be converted to market-rate units or condos.
City of Portland Measure 26-180, Local tax on recreational marijuana: Yes
Call it a sin tax or just getting your hands in the -- ahem -- pot, it's all good. There is no valid reason why you wouldn't want to tax marijuana, anyway.
Metro Measure 26-178, Renew tax to provide Metro money to protect environment: No
Shocking right? Not really. Metro is a waste of money. The cities of Portland, Gresham, etc., could do just as good of a job as Metro, but without the added administrative costs. But the most annoying part of Metro is that it has hundreds of acres of mowed lawn that it considers too sensitive for dogs. Meticulously kept lawns, zero dogs, under the guise of sensitive areas. One of the things I'd do if I won the lottery, would be to personally drive an effort to shut down Metro, stop charging people to pay for access to those green lawns and allow dogs to accompany their families on picnics on those green lawns. Who's with me?
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