Oregon Lottery Funds for Natural Resources Amendment, Measure 76 (2010)

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The Oregon Lottery Funds for Natural Resources Amendment, also known as Measure 76, was on the November 2, 2010 ballot in Oregon as an initiated constitutional amendment, where it was approved. The measure continued to allocate fifteen percent of lottery proceeds to parks, beaches, wildlife habitat and watershed protection that were set to expire in 2014.

Election results

See also: 2010 ballot measure election results

Oregon Measure 76 (2010)
Result		Votes	Percentage
a Yes		972,825	69.22%
No		432,552	30.78%

Election results from Oregon Blue Book website

Text of measure

The language appeared on the ballot as:

“

76 Amends Constitution: Continues lottery funding for parks, beaches, wildlife habitat, watershed protection beyond 2014; modifies funding process.

”

Summary

The voters' guide included a summary of the measure:

“

Under current constitutional provision, 15 percent of net lottery proceeds are placed in a Parks and Natural Resources Fund, half for state parks, beaches, historic sites and recreation areas, and half for restoration and protection of natural resources, including fish and wildlife habitat and protection of watersheds. Currently, funding ends after 2014 unless voters approve continuation beyond that date. The proposed measure continues 15 percent funding for the same purposes beyond 2014. State agencies receiving monies from the Fund are required to use the money only for the specified purposes. The proposed measure also identifies eligible grant recipients and establishes minimum allocation levels of grant funding for local and regional park projects that protect and restore fish and wildlife habitats, and protect watersheds. Other provisions.

”

Fiscal note

The fiscal impact statement released by the Office of the Secretary of State said the following:

“

The measure makes permanent the dedication of 15% of state lottery proceeds each year to parks and natural resources. For the year 2011 this amount is estimated to be $87 million. The measure dedicates a minimum amount of funds for local parks. The measure does not produce additional revenue for state government. The measure does not require additional state or local government spending, but would require adjusting spending between programs or funding sources.

”

Support

Defend Oregon was a main campaign supporter of Measure 76. Defend Oregon was also involved in opposing Measure 73 and supporting Measure 70 and Measure 71.

Supporters

The following are persons or organizations who wrote, co-wrote or signed a supporting argument in the voters' guide:

Officials

• U.S. Representative David Wu (D-1)
• State Senator Jason Atkinson (R-2)
• State Senator Alan Bates (D-3)
• State Senator Jackie Dingfelder (D-23)
• State Representative Mike Schaufler (D-48)
• State Representative Michael E. Dembrow (D-45)
• [[Ben Cannon}State Representative Ben Cannon]] (D-48)
• State Representative Jules Bailey (D-42)
• State Representative Mary Nolan (D-36)
• Craig Dirksen, Mayor of Tigard
• Charles C.Tomlinson, Mayor of Portland
• Gary H. Wheeler, Mayor of Medford, Oregon
• Alan Unger, Deschutes County Commissioner
• Pete Sorenson, Lane County Commissioner
• Lori Hollingsworth, Mayor of Lincoln City
• Faye Stewart, East Lane County Commissioner
• Nick Fish, Portland City Commissioner

Former officials

• Former Governor Barbara Roberts (D)
• Bruce Abernethy, Former Mayor of Bend
• Ris Bradhsaw, Former Clackmas County Sheriff

Organizations

• Sierra Club
• The Nature Conservancy
• Chamber of Commerce of Medford and Jackson Counties
• Oregon Recreation & Parks Association
• Oregon League of Conservation Voters
• Network of Oregon Watershed Councils
• Oregonians for Water, Parks & Wildlife
• Oregon Association of Conservation Districts
• Trout Unlimited, Oregon Council
• Association of Northwest Steelheaders
• Rogue Flyfishers
• Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition
• Defenders of Wildlife
• 1000 Friends of Oregon
• National Coast Trail Association
• Oregon Hunter’s Association
• The Trust for Public Land
• Environment Oregon
• Surfrider Foundation - Oregon Chapters
• Pacific Rainforest Wildlife Guardians
• The Wetlands Conservancy
• Food & Water Watch
• Columbia Riverkeeper
• Ducks Unlimited, Inc. – Oregon Chapters
• Audubon Society of Portland
• Salem Audubon Society
• Rogue Valley Audubon Society
• The Wild Salmon Center
• Upper Willamette Soil & Water Conservation District
• McKenzie River Trust
• American Rivers
• Molalla River Watch, Inc.
• Tillamook Estuaries Partnership
• Friends of the Columbia Gorge
• Oregon Natural Desert Association
• Native Plant Society of Oregon
• Friends of Tryon Creek State Park
• Friends of Laurelhurst Park
• Deschutes Land Trust
• Greenbelt Land Trust
• Columbia Land Trust
• Wallowa Land Trust
• Southern Oregon Land Conservancy
• Willamette Pedestrian Coalition
• Westwind Stewardship Group
• Earth Home Ministries
• Cascadia Earth Justice Ministries
• Shambhala Meditation Center of Portland

Businesses

• Cannon Beach Book Company
• Clear Creek Distillery
• Terminal Gravity Brewing, Inc
• Mahonia Vineyards and Nursery
• Forest Park Federal Credit Union
• Backyard Bird Shop
• The Ashland Fly Shop
• Northwest Nature Shop
• Green Drop Garage
• Witham & Dickey Inc.
• Living Earth Investments
• Prichard Communications
• Tilbury Ferguson Investment
• SERA Architects
• Orchard View Farms, Inc.
• 6 Ranch
• Agency Ranch
• Ward’s Home Ranch

Unions

• Oregon AFSCME Council 75
• SEIU Local 503
• Laborers’ Local 483

Campaign contributions

The following is a list of donors in support of Measure 76.

Contributor	Amount
Oregonians for Water, Parks, and Wildlife	$500,000
Oregon AFSCME Council 75	$205,000
SEIU Local 503	$60,000
Voting Matters	$59,200
American Federation of Teachers - Oregon Issue PAC	$55,000

Opposition

There were no registered committees who opposed the measure. Furthermore, no statements opposing the measure were submitted to the voters' manual..

Media editorial positions

See also: Endorsements of Oregon ballot measures, 2010

Support

• The Oregonian said, "We wish that Oregonians had an opportunity Nov. 2 to approve a single measure that both extended the dedicated funding for parks and allowed the money to be used in other ways during true emergencies...There are years, like this one, when this state must marshal all its resources to support schools and the most vulnerable Oregonians. But year in and year out, Oregon absolutely must take care of the things that make living here special. Vote yes on Measure 76."

• Mail Tribune said, "Ordinarily, we would be among the first to beat the drum for Ballot Measure 76, which would continue devoting 15 percent of Oregon Lottery proceeds to parks, beaches, streams and wildlife habitat beyond 2014. But these are not ordinary times. The state faces a severe budget crisis, exactly the wrong time to be talking about dedicated funding for any purpose, no matter how popular. Still, we recommend a yes vote on Measure 76 — with some important conditions." Some of the conditions the board recommended included referred amendments to the 2011 ballot that would make room for emergency situations when funds can't be diverted to parks, beaches, streams and wildlife habitats.

• Register-Guard said, "The sponsors have agreed to support future legislation that would mitigate the budgetary impact during periods of financial hardship."

• Daily Astorian said, "Yes. The Oregonian has observed, this ballot measure "goes to the very soul of Oregon." Amen to that," said the editorial board.

• Wallowa County Chieftain said, "It is unfortunate that conservation groups have forced this issue at this time. Legislative leaders plan next year to refer to the voters a measure that would divert dedicated funds during economic crises. Conservation groups as well as recreation oganizations and watershed councils that promote Measure 76 have promised not to oppose those amendments."

Opposition

• The World said, "Sometimes a good idea comes wrapped in a faulty ballot measure. When that happens, voters either can say yes and hope for future repairs, or say no and wait for a better option...Whether Measure 76 passes or not, state legislative leaders reportedly plan to send voters a referendum to patch up its flaws. Supporters say voters should pass Measure 76 now, then fix it in the next election. But knowingly passing a bad law -- especially a constitutional amendment -- is rarely a good idea. Voters should reject Measure 76. Then the Legislature should put a better version on the next ballot. That's the one voters should pass."

Controversies

Signature fraud

On September 23, 2010 Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown and Attorney General John Kroger announced that two signature gatherers were indicted on fraud charges. Mia Baggenstos and Kelvin Moore were indicted in Multnomah County Circuit Court. Both Baggenstos and Moore worked for PCI Consultants Inc., a California based signature gathering firm. "During the process, our vendor immediately notified the secretary of state’s office of potential irregularities in her signatures, and the campaign began working with the secretary of state," said Josh Alpert, a campaign manager for Measure 67.

Baggenstos was indicted on six counts of knowingly making false statements between April 23 and 26, 2010. She submitted the names of six dead people. She also faced one count of aggravated identity theft. Moore was indicted on two counts of knowingly making false statements on May 30, 2010. He falsely certified that every signer was a qualified state voter. and that he was present for very signature.

Brown said that the fraud indictments did not call into question the initiative’s qualifications. John Kroger stated, "Voters need to have faith in the integrity of our elections process. These crimes will be prosecuted aggressively."

Path to the ballot

See also: Oregon signature requirements and 2010 ballot measure petition signature costs

Supporters needed to acquire 110,358 signatures to put the measure on the ballot. On the deadline date of July 2, 2010, supporters submitted a total of 192,679 signatures to the Secretary of State.

On July 28, 2010, the secretary of state announced that the initiative exceeded the minimum requirement and was qualified for the general election ballot.

See also

• 2010 ballot measures
• List of Oregon ballot measures
• Oregon 2010 ballot measures

News Articles

• Oregon signature gatherers indicted on fraud charges
• Oregon citizens panel prepares to review ballot measures for November election
• Six initiatives file signatures in Oregon
• Initiative petition deadlines arrive in Oregon and Washington
• Oregon petition drive deadline nears
• Oregon election officials reject thousands of lottery fund petition signatures

External links

Suggest a link

• Details of the Oregon Lottery Funds for Natural Resources Amendment
• 2010 Election Results
• Full text of proposed act
• February 2, 2010 letter from Attorney General of Oregon certifying a ballot title

Additional reading

• The Oregonian, "Oregon Lottery money has kept parks and natural resources afloat as some other services have faltered," October 3, 2010
• Oregon Cattlemen Association, "Wolf Plan, Measure 76, AG meets with Natural Res. groups (2nd section)," September 22, 2010
• Statesman Journal, "Seven ballot measures assigned numbers," August 12, 2010
• The Oregonian, "Parks, prison measures test voter mood on state spending," July 31, 2010