Is Measure 66 & 67 a Gay Issue?
Posted by admin on February 8th, 2010
8th January 2010
No doubt many have now heard about Measure 66 & 67 which will be on your ballot for the special election this month. Ballots are in the mail.
Despite hearing about the measures on television, in your mail, on facebook, telephone calls and on your door step there has been a question being asked quietly by GLBT Oregonians.
“Is this a gay issue?”
Every issue and every candidate on any Oregon ballot is indeed a gay issue. However, as with any group of voters sharing common interests, it is important to view how & why a particular ballot measure will impact their own community, their families and the individual. But to the specific question being asked……….
The answer is YES
“For many gay and transgender Oregonians who will lose critical services, this is literally a life or death election. We can’t afford to lose. We have to vote Yes on Measures 66 and 67.”-Jeana Frazzini, executive director of Basic Rights Oregon
“It is critical that Oregonians vote yes on Measures 66 and 67. Should these measures fail, we will be looking at drastic cuts to a broad net of services that our communities and our clients rely on.” - Michael Kaplan, executive director of Cascade AIDS Project
“Contrary to popular belief, many LGBT people are not only eligible, but also actively utilize social services and programs. Oregon’s budget crisis could pose a significant threat to the services and programs that a sizeable number of LGBT people depend upon daily.” – Williams Institute
A YES vote will protect already stretched thin vital services to the poor, children, the elderly, institutionalized youth, people with disabilities and living with HIV/AIDS. Education and public safety services need to be protected too.
A study by the Williams Institute on the effects of these measures for GLBT Oregonians was just published.
- Thirteen percent of individuals in same-sex couples in Oregon identify as disabled
- LGBT youth make up 13% of young people in the juvenile justice system and 42% of homeless youth
- 6% of individuals in same-sex couples in Oregon are elderly
- Twenty-four percent of same-sex couples in Oregon are raising a child under the age of eighteen.
- 13.4% of lesbian/bisexual women and 7.2% of gay/bisexual men live in poverty
- 10% of individuals in same-sex couples currently receive food stamps
- 2% of individuals in same-sex couples in Oregon receive state or local public assistance
- 1% receive Social Security Income, and 1% receive Supplemental Security Income
All are people who most likely depend on the vital services we need to protect.
But first, concerned and informed GLBT Oregon voters will want to know what is the truth about Measure 66 & 67 for themselves.
The Oregon Voters’ Guide, published by the Oregon Secretary of State, describes in detail Measure 66 & Measure 67. The Oregon Voters’ Guide has always been an important tool for Oregon Voters to use at election time.
The Oregon Voters Guide provides the factual explanation of these measures, describing what your YES vote will mean and what your NO vote will mean to you and all of us. Arguments for and against the measures are also published in the guide.
But in short here’s what these measures are about:
“YES” vote for Measure 66 establishes new marginal state income tax rates for households with income over $250,000 a year, and individual filers with income over $125,000 a year beginning in tax year 2009. The Measure would not increase taxes on household income under $250,000 (or $125,000 for individual filers). See Measure 66 Explanatory Statement
“Yes” vote for Measure 67 raises $10 corporate minimum tax, establishes $150 minimum tax for most businesses or minimum tax of approximately 0.1% of total Oregon revenues for some corporations with over $500,000 in Oregon revenues. Raises tax rate some corporations pay on profits by 1.3 percentage points. Increases certain business filing fees. Raises estimated $255 million to provide funds currently budgeted for education, health care, public safety, other services. See Measure 67 Explanatory Statement
The Vote Yes For Oregon campaign has produced a summary of some the highlighted impacts for each county in Oregon. You can click on you county to see these impacts.
The Vote Yes For Oregon campaign has also produced a useful easy to read and understand diagram and FAQ’s which summarizes just who and how the proposed measures will work for those earning over the thresholds of personal income and which type of businesses will be effected.
Oregonians vote by mail. We don’t have make a special trip, take time from work, or stand in line to vote. When you get your ballot, don’t set it down on the kitchen table with the rest of the mail. Open it up and cast your VOTE IMMEDIATELY.
Remember every vote counts and it effects you and everyone you know.