October 18, 2024
Walk with me along the Promenade, along the Willamette river under an ever changing sky (all photographs from yesterday morning). Friendly taggers on the Steel Bridge reminding us of the important things in life…
…which made me think of voting. Election ballots are on their way to us who vote by mail in Oregon. In addition to the nail biter on the national scene, we have some major changes to the political landscape in Portland. I figured for today’s blog, I’ll make some information accessible that you are likely to dig out for yourselves otherwise, saving you some time. There is, of course, always the Oregon Voter Pamphlet, which provides more information, including the slate of endorsers that might have your trust for having done the relevant research into candidates. (You can access it digitally from the link above, with info specific for your county.)
Bridges in full display, drying out after early showers in a warm October sun.
For those of us in PDX: Two years ago, we voted to change the city’s charter and shift from a commissioner-run government to a collection of four districts, each represented by a group of three council members. A new mayor and an appointed city manager will oversee the 12 city councilors. There are 19 candidates for mayor, and 98 candidates for 12 city councillor positions, all up for rank choice voting, which is also newly introduced.
For starters: if you don’t know which district you live and vote in (given that they have been newly configured) go here https://www.portlandmaps.com and enter your address. A pop-up window will deliver information, including your district number. I live in district # 4, so some of the examples below will relate to that district.
Given the fact that I, like presumably many of you, do not know all of these candidates or their history, I base my choices on what they have to say about the three things that require most action (and changed approaches) in my opinion. These are the housing crisis, transportation alternatives and tackling climate change. (The latter two obviously related.) You might have different targets, of course.
How do I know where the candidates stand? Several local and national news organizations have published interviews (with those who responded) and offer them in the context of their own endorsements.
Here are some of the links from Portland Mercury, Willamette Week and the Oregonian. I have left them assigned to district, when offered, so you don’t have to read all of them, just the one that pertains to you.
Willi Week: https://www.wweek.com/tags/fall-endorsements-2024/
Precarious action by a person with a tent nearby on top of a drain pipe.
Yahoo interviews: https://www.yahoo.com/news/mitch-green-candidate-questionnaire-portland-235059033.html (I have given one example from my district here, the link allows you to peruse others.)
With regard to the mayoral choice I do know exactly who I do NOT want, and need to be convinced who to vote for as plausible candidates. It is important not to rank the candidate you abhor, so they do not gather points in the ranked choice. Pick the three you think work out, leave the rest options blank.
Here are some interviews with candidates: https://www.streetroots.org/news/2024/10/13/2024-elections-portland-mayor by an organization that I strongly support. The mayor is more of a figure head in the new system, but still has influence and many of the candidates have embraced hard line positions on matters of police and the houseless.
I am not making recommendations for candidates, but I will certainly be voting NO on one particular measure that is fraught with unintended negative consequences: Measure 118.
It proposes to give every single Oregonian (regardless of age or income) an estimated $1,600 per year that would be funded by a new corporate tax on really big businesses. One can debate whether it makes sense to give money to all, regardless of income level or need, wasting sparse resources. But the real problem with the measure derives from tax laws. Oregon state law says that corporations only have to pay the higher of two taxes—the tax on their profits, or the corporate minimum tax. Measure 118 would skyrocket the cost of the corporate minimum tax, so big business would have no choice but to pay that one in order to fund all those $1,600 rebates. That would leave significantly less money paid by corporations into Oregon’s general fund, which provides fundamental services like K-12 public education, health care, child care, and public safety, all of which are already gravely underfunded. The state’s analysis predicts Oregon will lose out on well over $1 billion in future budget cycles that could have funded social needs. It will shaft the ones who need support most.
Below is a detailed review of the measure’s potential impact – note that opposition comes from the left as well as the right, in some rare display of shared rejection.
Let’s not go there. Vote instead and hopefully:
Here are a few musical thought…. Phil Ochs on Days of Decision, Leonard Cohen on Democracy, Bob Marley’s encouragement, Patti Smith on People Power, Genesis’ Land of Confusion, and never forget Woody Guthrie This land is your land.
Urban geese know where to cross.
Julie
Thank you dear Frid ✨🙏🏻✨
Maryellen Read
Well done
Many Thanks for this timely comprehensive article
Especially for the NO on measure 118. And clarifying which programs will be actually have funding reduced to pay for it.