Posts Tagged ‘ measure 66 ’

Measures 66 & 67: What They Mean For Oregon’s Environment

December 2, 2009
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State parks face cuts of up to $8.65 million. Photo from Oregon Parks and Recreation

State parks face cuts of up to $8.65 million. Photo from Oregon Parks and Recreation

If Measures 66 and 67 fail in next month’s special election, it could mean major reductions in how much money the state spends on monitoring pollution, protecting and restoring streams, maintaining state parks, and fighting wildfires.

These two measures raise about $733 million for state government by increasing incomes taxes on high earning Oregonians, and raising minimum taxes paid by corporations. Business groups have been fighting hard against the measures. About a month ago, Oregonian’s environmental community stepped into the fight. The Oregon League of Conservation Voters endorsed Measures 66 and 67 and warned that if they’re defeated the state’s natural resources would take a serious hit.

Now we have some actual numbers to examine that claim.

It comes from state agencies. This week, they released new data showing how they might handle budget cuts of 5% and 10%.

A few “let the reader beware” warnings.

I’m using the 10% cut numbers because in the past, agencies that handle natural resources tend to be cut deeper than other parts of state government. If the pain was shared equally, all agencies would be cutting about 5%. My experience tells me that lawmakers are likely to protect spending on education, law enforcement and human services at the expense of wildlife, parks, pollution and water quality.

Remember these are suggested cuts only. If Measures 66 and 67 are voted down, agencies’ priorities might change when faced with making actual cuts instead of hypothetical ones.

The numbers are spread out over two years. These potential cuts cover spending for 2010 and 2011.

Finally, I’m no budget expert. But I’ve done my best to look at the material online and tried to figure it all out. If I’ve made a mistake, please don’t hesitate to correct me.

-See the Legislative Fiscal Office webpage and follow the Budget Reduction Options link to do your own calculations.

With that in mind, here we go!

Parks and Recreation: Faces cuts of about $8.65 million, much of it coming from putting off maintenance at state parks. The agency warns that park facilities will look shabbier and more rundown. The department is also trying to take a lot of money out of office operations.

Forestry Department: Could lose the equivalent of 47 full-time jobs within the department and see its budget cut by about $7.8 million. Most of the money would come from fighting wildfires, including the initial attack units that have been given lots of credit for putting out wildfires before they get out of control. Dozens more temporary wildfire fighting positions would also be cut.

Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board: Probably the most important agency the public doesn’t know about. Every year OWEB funds hundreds of projects including dam removal, improving fish habitat and restoring streams and rivers. A 10% cut would mean OWEB would have about $6 million less to spend on these projects during 2010 and 2011.

Environmental Quality: DEQ would lose about $3.3 million under this scenario and the equivalent of about 15 full-time jobs. The department says efforts to monitor air and water quality would probably suffer the most. One possible casualty, an air monitoring station in either Salem or Medford.

Fish and Wildlife: This agency would have to trim about 1.9 million, with a lot of the cuts coming from the monitoring of steelhead and salmon, fish screening projects and hatchery maintenance.

Agriculture: Could lose about $979,000 with a lot of the money coming from cuts in programs to control noxious weeds, invasive species and soil and water conservation.

Enviro Groups Join The Fight For Measures 66 and 67

November 5, 2009
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So far I’ve managed to avoid writing about Measures 66 and 67, the two tax raising measures that voters will decide in January’s special election. It’s not that I don’t think these issues are important, but rather I never saw a connection to my reporting on environmental news.

Until now.

The Oregon Conservation Network, representing some 40 environmental groups across the state, announced today it’s joining the battle to pass both measures. It says they’re needed to protect state investments in clean, renewable energy.

Briefly, Measure 66 raises income taxes on families and couples earning more than $250,000 a year, and on individuals earning more than $125,000. It also cuts taxes for people who received unemployment benefits.

Measure 67 raises certain business taxes. First, the minimum tax increases from $10 to $150 per year on smaller businesses. It also creates a .01% minimum on companies with more than $500,000 in Oregon revenues. Finally, it increases taxes on businesses earning more than $250,000 per year.

Here’s a quote from today’s announcement. If these measures fail the group warns of, “Dramatic cuts to climate change measures, coastal and marine protections, clean air & water monitoring, land use planning, food safety and forest fire protection.”

Other than that, the group offers few details to explain their position.  But it also promises that more info is coming.

In one way, their argument makes some sense. Take the case of the Business Energy Tax Credit, or BETC. As reported in the Oregonian, the cost of this program has skyrocketed and could deprive the state of $167 million in lost tax revenues during the current two year budget cycle.

The Oregon Energy Department is working to bring down the costs and curb abuses of the program. But despite BETC’s numerous faults, it has played an important role in creating green businesses in the state. If Measures 66 and 67 fail, the pressure to cut BETC further could intensify. Then you again you could make the same case for any number of state programs.

You can read all of today’s announcement on the Oregon League of Conservation Voters blog. The OLCV will coordinate the political campaign in favor of the two measures.

You can also read the ballot titles, statements explaining what they mean, and reports on their costs on the Secretary of State’s OregonVotes.org website.