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Ashland voters approve trio of ballot measures Jessica Simmons and Byron Bradley Carrier celebrate election day by joining a small gathering on the Ashland Plaza to sing "America The Beautiful," measure the tilting Plaza flag pole to see which way it "leaned," and share in a moment of screaming as a realease of campaign season stress. Daily Tidings / Denise Baratta Wednesday Nov 9, 2016 at 2:00 AM By John Darling For the Tidings Ashland voters approved a trio of measures on the ballot by large margins, voting to levy a 3 percent tax on sales of recreational marijuana sales in the city, allow use of a portion of food and beverage tax revenues to pay for street maintenance and to support state legislative efforts to reform Oregon's health care system. The marijuana tax led 8,609 votes to 2,604 (76 to 23 percent) in vote totals released by Jackson County on Tuesday evening. It’s in addition to the 17 percent state tax that went on recreational weed Oct. 1. The rate is the maximum allowed by state law on recreational pot and its product. The law does not apply to medical marijuana in dispensaries licensed by the Oregon Health Authority. The council asked voters to approve an advisory reminder of what they want as an improved comprehensive healthcare system for all state residents. It passed 9,423-1,339 or 87-12 percent. The plan — which is only advisory — is designed to ensure provider choice, bring new cost controls, provide equitable access, emphasize prevention over drugs and other treatment and be affordable to families, businesses and society, according to the brief filed with the city recorder. City Councilor Pam Marsh, who voted for it and will receive it in her role as a newly elected House member in Salem, said, “It’s a message to the legislature that citizens encourage moving forward with future reform. It says we want you to listen and we need a system that’s consumer-based, as a high priority. It’s still too expensive for many to access … Copays and deductibles are built in that are unaffordable and create barriers to health. The Legislature is about all of us making a statement as communities to encourage further action.” By a vote of 8,633-2,176 or 79-20 percent, voters approved use of the city food and beverage tax for street repair. The tax on restaurant meals remains at 5 percent. It directs 20 percent of receipts to buying park land and developing it and 80 percent to debt service on the city wastewater treatment plant. With passage the money goes 25 percent to parks — and allows some of the wastewater funds to go into a street fund for “pavement management.” It starts immediately.