May 14, 2003
Six Days Until 26-48
Time for another tour through coverage of the upcoming May 20 special election. Starting with what The Nose has to say in today's Willamette Week:
Is it arrogant to think that Measure 26-48 is an IQ test? That those who vote "no" are so shortsighted that they can't ever see a tax increase they could support? That those who vote "yes" are enlightened enough to understand how bad things will be if this measure fails?
It probably is arrogant, yet the Nose feels this way just the same.
You won't find me disagreeing here. And be sure to check The Nose's rundown of who has ponied up money for the campaign to pass the measure and who hasn't.
Then over in The Oregonian they examine the strategy of Measure 26-48 backers:
The campaign to pass Oregon's only county income tax favors parents over politicians for its public face, the small picture over the big, and a street-level strategy that taps thousands of volunteers to haul in yes voters quietly while hoping the no vote slumbers.
...
By design, the marketing side of the campaign excludes Multnomah County Chairwoman Diane Linn, Portland Mayor Vera Katz and even relative political untouchables such as Mark Hatfield and Neil Goldschmidt. With some notable exceptions, business supporters have stayed mum. County Sheriff Bernie Giusto is the only elected official included in campaign fliers.
"They figure their best bet is neighbor talking to neighbor," said Jim Moore, an independent political analyst.
Meanwhile, one coalition of measure supporters just delivered a stack of ballots:
The campaign to pass a three-year income tax in Multnomah County got a push Tuesday night from a community alliance that delivered nearly 1,800 ballots for the measure designed to help schools, social services and public safety.
The ballots collected at an assembly of the Metropolitan Alliance for the Common Good came one week before the May 20 deadline for county residents to vote on the proposed 1.25 percent tax. County Chairwoman Diane Linn lauded the alliance effort but said much more needs to be done in the next week.
"I don't think there has ever been this many ballots gathered in one specific place in this community," Linn said to the assembly of labor, religious and community organizations. "This is taking matters into our own hands, but we're not there yet."
To help you do your part, here is the list of ballot drop sites. Ballots must be received by 8:00 PM Tuesday, May 20. Postmarks do not count.
Comments (1)
Marie on 10 Apr 2004
Great blog, enjoyed browsing through the site