Updates: June 19, 2008

The focus in politics has surrounded the presidential elections but very soon, state and local candidates will start their campaigns to seek election to a variety of offices.  It is important to be aware of what is happening in the area of initiative petitions, as well. I did some research and put together the following overview of what is currently being discussed. The deadline for obtaining signatures is July 3, 2008. After the signatures have been validated, the petition may qualify for the November 2008 election.

I am available to speak to your organization prior to the election to overview the ballot measures and answer any question you or your team might have. I DO NOT suggest which way to vote on any measure. Let me know if you would like to take advantage of that service. If so, call my office to schedule a time.

For more detailed information on the measures, please go to the JWA Links page, select Secretary of State; Elections; Initiative, Referendum and Referral Log; select Election Year 2008 from the drop down menu and and select the Detailed Results button at the bottom of the page to see information on each measure.

I hope you find this overview useful.

These initiatives are qualified for the ballot
for the November 2008 Election.

• Allows Minor Improvements To Property Without Building Permit - Exempts Specified Property Owners From Building Permit Requirements For Improvements Valued At/Under 35,000 Dollars - Bill Sizemore (5/5/08 Signature verification complete. Qualified for the ballot for the November 2008 Election.)
   
• No Taxpayer Resources To Collect Political Funds - Penalizes Person, Entity For Using Funds Collected With "Public Resource" (Defined) For "Political Purpose" (Defined) - Bill Sizemore (Signature verification complete. Qualified for the ballot for the November 2008 Election.)
   
• Mandatory Sentences For Drug Dealers, Identity Thieves, Burglars, And Car Thieves - Creates Mandatory Minimum Prison Sentences For Certain Theft, Identity Theft, Forgery, Drug, And Burglary Crimes - Kevin L. Mannix (4/9/08 Signature verification complete. Qualified for the ballot for the November 2008 Election.)
   
• HJR 4 - Amends Constitution: Standardizes Voting Eligibility For School Board Elections With Other State And Local Elections. 7/09/07 Statutory ballot title process was supplanted by the Legislative Assembly's Enrolled House Bill 2640. November 4, 2008
   
• HJR 31 - Amends Constitution: Changes Operative Date Of Redistricting Plans; Allows Affected Legislators To Finish Term In Original District. 7/09/07 Statutory ballot title process was supplanted by the Legislative Assembly's Enrolled House Bill 2640. November 4, 2008 General Election.
   
• Referral of HJR 15 - Amends Constitution: Provides That May And November Property Tax Elections Are Decided By Majority Of Voters Voting. 7/09/07 Statutory ballot title process was supplanted by the Legislative Assembly's Enrolled House Bill 2640. November 4, 2008 General Election
   
• SB 1087 - Increases Sentences For Drug Trafficking, Theft Against Elderly And Specified Repeat Property And Identity Theft Crimes; Requires Addiction Treatment For Certain Offenders. 3/11/08 Statutory ballot title process was supplanted by the Legislative Assembly's Enrolled House Bill 3615. November 4, 2008 General Election

These initiative petitions are being circulated now.

• Makes Federal Income Taxes Fully Deductible On State Return - Creates An Unlimited Deduction For Federal Income Taxes On Individual Taxpayers' Oregon Income-Tax Returns - Bill Sizemore and Russell Walker (1/22/08 Prohibited from obtaining further signatures until accounts are produced)
   
• Public Decency Act - Amends Constitution: Makes Oregon Constitutional Guarantee Of Free Expression Of Opinion Inapplicable To Conduct Or Personal Behavior - Lon Mabon
   
• Student Protection Act 2008 - Prohibits Instruction At Public Schools (Including Colleges, Universities) That "Approves," "Endorses" Homosexual, Bisexual, Transgendered Behavior - Lon Mabon
   
• 15% Of Lottery Profits For Crime Prevention, Investigation, And Prosecution - Amends Constitution: Allocates 15% Of Lottery Proceeds To Public Safety Fund For Crime Prevention, Investigation, Prosecution - Kevin L. Mannix
   
• Eliminates Legislators Conflict Of Interest In Public Employee Retirement Benefits - Amends Constitution: Prohibits Legislators From Participating In State, Local Retirement Programs Based On Service In Legislative Assembly - Nicholas J. Urhausen
   
• Oregon Lands Unconstitutionally Claimed By The Federal Government Placed Under County Ownership - Revokes State Consent To Federal Land Ownership In Oregon, With Exceptions; Counties To Own Instead - Jack Brown
   
• Monetary Consideration For Taking Of Human Life Prohibited - Amends Constitution: Using, Accepting Money To Perform Or Facilitate Abortion, Facilitate Or Cause Person's Death Is Murder - Jack Brown
   
• Creates Open Primary Elections - Changes General Election Nomination Processes For Major/Minor Party, Independent Candidates For Most Partisan Offices - Phil Keisling
   
• Respect For Law Act - Allows State Cooperation With Immigration Enforcement; Requires Certain Documentation For Voter Registration And Driving Privileges - Mehran Smith
   
• Oregon Crimefighting Act (Revised Version) - Modifies Certain Criminal Sentencing Laws; Repeals Medical Marijuana Act, Replaces With Subsidized Cannabinoids Prescription Program - Julia Allison
   
• Oregon Initiative Restorative Act - Amends Laws Related To Initiative, Referendum, Recall Petition Processes, Including Circulation, Signature Gathering, Signature Verification - Glenn Pelikan
   
• Oregon Electric Power And Fuel Security, Renewable Energy Development Act of 2008 - Creates Commission Authorized To: Develop, Generate, Sell, Buy, Distribute Electricity And Renewable Energy; Issue Bonds - George Wingard

Signature gathering suspended on these initiative petitions until payroll records for signature gatherers are produced.

• Requires One To Two Years English Immersion For Non-English Speaking Students - Prohibits Teaching Public School Student In Language Other Than English For More Than Two Years - Bill Sizemore and Russell Walker (1/22/08 Prohibited from obtaining further signatures until accounts are produced)
   
• Teacher Pay Raises & Job Security Must Be Based On Classroom Performance - Teacher "Classroom Performance," Not Seniority, Determines Pay Raises; "Most Qualified" Teachers Retained, Regardless Of Seniority - Bill Sizemore and Russell Walker (1/22/08 Prohibited from obtaining further signatures until accounts are produced)
   
• The Oregon Revenue Enhancement And Protection Act of 2008, Part l - Establishes Privately-Owned Casino Near Portland; Creates Gaming Commission Oversight; Allocates Portion Of Casino Revenues - Matt Rossman (1/15/08 Prohibited from obtaining further signatures until accounts are produced)
   
• The Oregon Revenue Enhancement And Protection Act of 2008, Part ll - Amends Constitution: Replaces Constitutional Prohibition On Casinos With Provision Requiring The Authorization Of One, Privately Owned Casino - Matt Rossman (1/15/08 Prohibited from obtaining further signatures until accounts are produced)
   
• The Oregon Lottery Revenue Enhancement And Protection Act Of 2008, Part I - Establishes Single Privately-Owned Casino Near Portland; Allocates Percentage Of Casino Revenue To Lottery Commission - Matt Rossman (1/15/08 Prohibited from obtaining further signatures until accounts are produced)
   
• The Oregon Lottery Revenue Enhancement And Protection Act Of 2008, Part ll - Amends Constitution: Replaces Constitutional Ban On Casinos With Provision Requiring The Authorization Of One, Privately Owned Casino - Matt Rossman (1/15/08 Prohibited from obtaining further signatures until accounts are produced)
   
• Limits Sentencing Powers Of The Juvenile Court Of Oregon - Juvenile Offenders Cannot Be "Incarcerated" Past Their 18th Birthday; Maximum "Sentence" Cannot Exceed Two Years - Gerald Rogers (1/16/08 Prohibited from obtaining further signatures until accounts are produced)
   
• Protects Citizens From Excessive Attorney Fees - Limits Amount Of Contingent Fees That Lawyers May Charge Clients For Representation In Civil Case - Russell Walker (5/9/08 Prohibited from obtaining further signatures until accounts are produced)
   
• Make Lawyers Accountable For Lawsuit Abuses - Court Must Sanction, Under Specified Circumstances, Attorneys Who File Frivolous Pleadings Or Motions In Lawsuits - Russell Walker (5/9/08 Prohibited from obtaining further signatures until accounts are produced)
   
• $100,000 Plus Incremental Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption Act - Establishes Property Tax Exemption For Senior Citizen's Primary Residence; Inapplicable To Specified Voter Approved Taxes - Bill Sizemore (4/11/08 Prohibited from obtaining further signatures until accounts are produced)
   
• Requires Legislative Super-Majority To Declare Emergency - Amends Constitution: Requires Three-Fourths Approval By Legislature Before It Can Declare Emergency Advancing Law's Effective Date - Bill Sizemore (4/14/08 Prohibited from obtaining further signatures until accounts are produced)
   
• Forest Restoration - Requires Sustainable Timber Harvest Practices (Defined); Prohibits Chemical Pesticides, Herbicides On Forestlands; Authorizes Citizen Lawsuits - Gary A. Kutcher (1/23/08 Prohibited from obtaining further signatures until accounts are produced)
   
• Licensed And Regulated Medical Marijuana Supply System - Establishes Medical Marijuana Supply System And Assistance And Research Programs; Allows Limited Selling Of Marijuana - James L. Klahr (5/21/08 Prohibited from obtaining further signatures until accounts are produced)

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