OLCV: NO on Measure 59, Sizemore's Latest Would Gut Natural Resource Funding

One of the challenges of passing good environmental laws is making sure we have the resources to carry them out. Whether it's water-quality monitoring or enforcement against corporate polluters, state parks maintenance or stopping invasive species, Oregon needs resources to meet our common environmental goals.

That is why OLCV is urging voters to vote NO on Measure 59, Bill Sizemore's latest tax scheme. Sizemore drafted the disastrous Measure 7 (2000), and the similarly damaging Measure 63 (2008 -- more on this measure next week). He's clearly no friend of the environment. Measure 59 is also brought to us by Russ Walker, who is heading up a $1 million PR attack on environmentalists.

By making federal taxes completely deductible from state taxes, Measure 59 would cut up to $2.4 billion each biennium out of funding for education, health care, public safety and environmental programs, all to benefit only those people who make more than $200,000 a year. Over 75% of Oregonians won't even save a dollar.

Oregon's critical environmental programs -- already underfunded -- would be cut even further. It's a bad idea that voters have rejected before, and we urge a NO vote.

More on the measure, including the measure's text and ballot title.