Oregon Measure 48, State Spending Limits Based on Population and Inflation Initiative (2006)
| Oregon Measure 48 | |
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| Election date |
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| Topic State and local government budgets, spending, and finance |
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| Status |
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| Type Initiated constitutional amendment |
Origin |
Oregon Measure 48 was on the ballot as an initiated constitutional amendment in Oregon on November 7, 2006. It was defeated.
A "yes" vote supported limiting state spending increases from one two-year period to the next to based on the percentage increase in state population plus inflation. |
A "no" vote opposed limiting state spending increases from one two-year period to the next to based on the percentage increase in state population plus inflation. |
Election results
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Oregon Measure 48 |
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| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Yes | 379,971 | 29.15% | ||
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923,629 | 70.85% | ||
Text of measure
Ballot title
The ballot title for Measure 48 was as follows:
| “ | AMENDS CONSTITUTION: LIMITS BIENNIAL PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN STATE SPENDING TO PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN STATE POPULATION, PLUS INFLATION RESULT OF "YES" VOTE: "Yes" vote amends constitution to limit the percentage increase in state spending from biennium to biennium to the percentage increase in state population plus inflation. RESULT OF "NO" VOTE: "No" vote retains existing statute capping appropriations on basis of personal income in Oregon; rejects adding constitutional provision limiting spending increases to population increase, inflation. SUMMARY: Amends constitution. Oregon statute currently limits state appropriations to 8% of projected persona) income in Oregon (with certain exceptions). If Governor declares emergency, legislature may exceed current statutory appropriations limit by 60% vote of each house. Measure adds constitutional provision limiting increase in state spending from one biennium to next biennium to percentage increase in state population, plus inflation, over previous two years. Certain exceptions to limit, including spending of: federal, donated funds; proceeds from selling certain bonds, real property; money to fund emergency funds; money to fund tax, "kicker," other refunds. Measure provides that spending limit may be exceeded by amount approved by two-thirds of each house of legislature and approved by majority of voters voting in general election. Other provisions. ESTIMATE OF FINANCIAL IMPACT: The measure puts a new limit on state budget spending for each two-year budget. It is unclear when the measure would first apply. If it first applies to the 2007-2009 budget, the measure would reduce money available to fund state services by $2.2 billion. If it first applies to the current budget, state spending must be reduced by $2.5 billion by July 2007, and expected spending must be reduced by $4.9 billion for 2007-2009. The state budget now pays for public schools, health care, prisons, roads, bridges, forest fire protection and other services. In addition, the state transfers approximately 2/3 of its funds to cities, counties, school districts, and health care providers. The measure does not specify which programs would be affected by the spending limit. The measure will limit state bond programs and will have a negative impact on the state's credit rating. The measure does not directly limit local government spending. (See the Voters' Pamphlet for explanation of this financial estimate) | ” |
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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