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Oregon Measure 47, Property Tax Reduction and Increase Limitation Initiative (1996)
| Oregon Measure 47 | |
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| Election date |
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| Topic Taxes |
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| Status |
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| Type Initiated constitutional amendment |
Origin |
Oregon Measure 47 was on the ballot as an initiated constitutional amendment in Oregon on November 5, 1996. It was approved.
A "yes" vote supported limiting the amount of property taxes that may be collected; requiring voter approval for new or increased property taxes; restricting alternative revenue sources for state or local governments instead of property taxes; and prohibiting the assessment of property beyond its real market value. |
A "no" vote opposed limiting the amount of property taxes that may be collected; requiring voter approval for new or increased property taxes; restricting alternative revenue sources for state or local governments instead of property taxes; and prohibiting the assessment of property beyond its real market value. |
Election results
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Oregon Measure 47 |
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| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
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704,554 | 52.30% | ||
| No | 642,613 | 47.70% | ||
Text of measure
Ballot title
The ballot title for Measure 47 was as follows:
| “ | AMENDS CONSTITUTION; REDUCES AND LIMITS PROPERTY TAXES; LIMITS LOCAL REVENUES, REPLACEMENT FEES RESULT OF “YES" VOTE: “Yes" vote reduces current property taxes; limits future increases; limits local revenues and replacement fees. RESULT OF “NO” VOTE: “No" vote retains the existing property tax system with current limitations on property tax rates. SUMMARY: Amends constitution. Limits 1997-98 property taxes to lesser of: 1995-96 tax minus 10 percent, or 1994-95 tax. Limits future annual property tax increases to 3 percent, with exceptions. Limits revenue available for schools, other local services funded by property taxes. Local governments’ lost revenue may be replaced only with state income tax, unless voters approve replacement fees or charges. Provides no system for spreading revenue cuts among local governments. Restricts new bonds. Tax levy approvals in certain elections require 50 percent voter participation. Other changes. ESTIMATE OF FINANCIAL IMPACT: This estimate is based on the following assumptions: increases in assessed property values and levies will continue at historic rates; local voters do not approve levies outside the new limits; new construction can be added to the tax roll in 1997-98; and existing bond levies are exempt from this measure even if not voter approved. Direct revenue loss to local governments including school districts is estimated at $467 million in fiscal year 1998, $553 million in 1999, and increasing thereafter. Direct revenue losses to each type of local government unit, including local school districts, community colleges, cities, counties, and fire districts, will depend on legislative action. Direct revenue gain to state government is estimated at $23 million in 1998, $27 million in 1999, and increasing thereafter because of increased personal and corporate tax receipts due to lower property tax deduction. Direct one time expenditures required of counties in the first year of the measure for implementation by assessment and taxation offices are estimated at $1,650,000. Direct annual expenditures required by counties for assessment and taxation offices are estimated at $950,000. | ” |
Full Text
The full text of this measure is available here.
Path to the ballot
An initiated constitutional amendment is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends a state's constitution. Eighteen (18) states allow citizens to initiate constitutional amendments.
In Oregon, the number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment is equal to 8% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval unless the initiative proposes changing vote requirements, then the initiative must be approved by the same supermajority requirement as proposed by the measure.
See also
External links
Footnotes
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State of Oregon Salem (capital) |
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