Oregon Measure 44, Cigarette and Tobacco Tax Increase Initiative (1996)
| Oregon Measure 44 | |
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| Topic Taxes and Tobacco laws |
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| Status |
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| Type Initiated state statute |
Origin |
Oregon Measure 44 was on the ballot as an initiated state statute in Oregon on November 5, 1996. It was approved.
A "yes" vote supported increasing cigarette taxes from 1.4 to 2.9 cents per cigarette, increasing tobacco products taxes from 35% to 65% of wholesale price, and directing revenues to the Oregon Health Plan, tobacco use reduction, and general fund. |
A "no" vote opposed increasing cigarette taxes from 1.4 to 2.9 cents per cigarette, increasing tobacco products taxes from 35% to 65% of wholesale price, and directing revenues to the Oregon Health Plan, tobacco use reduction, and general fund. |
Election results
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Oregon Measure 44 |
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| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
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759,048 | 55.91% | ||
| No | 598,543 | 44.09% | ||
Text of measure
Ballot title
The ballot title for Measure 44 was as follows:
| “ | INCREASES, ADDS CIGARETTE AND TOBACCO TAXES; CHANGES TAX REVENUE DISTRIBUTION RESULT OF “YES" VOTE; “Yes" vote increases cigarette and tobacco taxes and establishes new taxes, changes distribution of revenues. RESULT OF “NO” VOTE: “No” vote leaves cigarette and tobacco taxes at current levels, does not affect revenue distribution. SUMMARY: Increases cigarette tax from 1.4 to 2.9 cents per cigarette. Cities, counties, general fund, transportation department get smaller proportion; majority goes to Oregon Health Plan, tobacco use reduction programs. Adds one-time taxes totalling three cents per cigarette, proceeds to Oregon Health Plan, tobacco use reduction. Increases tobacco products tax from 35% to 65% of wholesale price; directs some proceeds to Oregon Health Plan, tobacco use reduction, less to general fund. Retains one-half cent per cigarette tax that funds Oregon Health Plan. ESTIMATE OF FINANCIAL IMPACT: This measure will increase state revenue each year, beginning with $27 million in 1996-97, expanding to $80 million per year by 1998-99. Additional expenditures on the Oregon Health Plan will grow from $26 million in 1996-97 to $76 million annually by 1998-99. State expenditures for programs designed to reduce cigarette and tobacco use will increase by $3 million 1996-97, and $8 million annually by 1997-98. Other revenues available to the state general fund will decrease by $1 million in 1996-97, declining by $4 million annually by 1998-99. Revenue available to counties and cities will decrease by $400,000 in 1996-97, declining by $750,000 annually by 1998-99. | ” |
Full Text
The full text of this measure is available here.
Path to the ballot
An initiated state statute is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends state statute. There are 21 states that allow citizens to initiate state statutes, including 14 that provide for direct initiatives and nine (9) that provide for indirect initiatives (two provide for both). An indirect initiated state statute goes to the legislature after a successful signature drive. The legislatures in these states have the option of approving the initiative itself, rather than the initiative appearing on the ballot.
In Oregon, the number of signatures required for an initiated state statute is equal to 6% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.
See also
External links
Footnotes
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State of Oregon Salem (capital) |
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