Richardson Recommends No Vote On OR Measure 76
by Rep. Dennis Richardson, Central Point
Note: from his email newsletter, Oct 21, 2010
Negative on Measure 76.
In 1998 Measure 66 was passed that dedicated 15% of Oregon lottery profits to protecting natural area and parks. M-66 will sunset in 2014 and the purpose of M-76 is to permanently dedicate such funding in the Oregon Constitution. In 2011 $87 million will be dedicated in M-66 funds. In 2001 the amount was half what it is today.
The purpose of the sunset in the 1998 measure was to give voters a chance to reconsider whether or not it was a good idea to dedicate 15% of lottery profits for construction and maintenance of parks, and for purposes such as to “Maintain the diversity of Oregon’s plants, animals and ecosystems.”
While there is great benefit in having new parks and healthy plant and animal ecosystems, during hard economic times such issues directly compete with funding needed to provide a full school year for our children, enabling needy seniors to stay in their homes and providing a place to live for severely disabled citizens.
In our current times of severe financial recession, there may be value in giving the legislature the option of prioritizing limited funds and allocating them to Oregon’s greatest needs. Dedicating 15% of lottery profits to parks and wildlife means none of the $87 million of 2011’s dedicated funds can be used anywhere other than for parks, wildlife and other stated purposes.
M-76, if passed, will permanently place in the Oregon Constitution a declaration that parks, plants, fish and animals will always have a higher claim on hundreds of millions of dollars than people, public safety and education. You decide if such a mandated, inflexible limitation on precious state revenues should be permanently placed in the Oregon Constitution.
