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Local residents appear willing to raise their income taxes By Jennifer Nitson Ashland Daily Tidings With education, public safety, and human services budgets slated to be slashed to the tune of $310 million, a lot is riding on Measure 28 in Oregon. The single-issue ballot Jan. 28 is stirring up much controversy and concern statewide. Proponents of Measure 28 insist that the temporary tax increase of one-half of one percent is necessary to keep vital public services intact. Opponents say taxes are already too high, and that the struggling economy requires cuts in state spending and less waste, not increased taxes. Both sides have expressed concern that Measure 28 is just a Band-Aid for the larger problem of misspending. Though Measure 28 was originally expected to fail by a wide margin, the latest polls indicate the measure actually may have a chance. A telephone poll of 400 voters statewide conducted for KATU television of Portland showed 48 percent in favor and 48 percent opposed to the tax increase. In Eugene, a poll conducted by the Register-Guard indicated 46 percent in favor and 35 percent opposed, with the remaining 19 percent undecided. An informal poll of local residents was conducted in an attempt to gauge local feelings and opinions on Measure 28. Surprisingly, the majority of people approached professed to know little or nothing about it, but those who did were unanimously in favor of the measure's passing. The following results are representative of the few, the proud, the informed. This is what they had to say. Joe Meadows. Age: 40. Occupation: Software engineer. Meadows is co-parenting a son who attends fifth grade at Helman Elementary School in Ashland. "I don't know much about it other than I'm going to vote for it. It's money for schools and it's important. I think it's a stop-gap measure, but it's like emergency funding. Overall, we really need to reassess how money is appropriated and what our priorities are. It would be much better to stop wasting money on people who don't need it anyway - building more roads so people can build more houses while our schools are bleeding." Newleaf. Age: 52. Occupation: Counselor. Newleaf, who goes by one name, is the single mother of six children, ages 7 through 28. The youngest two attend Lincoln Elementary. "It seems that anything we can do to shore up our social system is necessary. That's what civilization is all about, that we're all in this together. Even if this is a stop-gap measure to ensure the health and well being of those least able to provide for themselves. Otherwise we're not a civilization, just survival of the fittest. The children are our greatest resource for the future and if we don't provide for their education we'll become leaders in ignorance and isolation." Kevin Marr. Age: 53. Occupation: Innkeeper. "For $114 a year per person, it's a small price to pay for continued services that we need. We don't have enough services as it is. I believe in taxes. I don't believe in being overtaxed but I think that generally we want all the goodies but they don't drop out of the sky. The money is used for things we all use. I didn't believe in the federal tax decrease. Look where we are now - all so we can each have $500 to $600 dollars back. I'm appalled at how shortsighted we are." Miriam Lanning. Age: 20. Occupation: Barrista. "I'm for it but I think that the government should stop wasting our money on the military and in other countries instead of raising our taxes. I'd be affected by it. I'm on the Oregon Health Plan and I wouldn't have any health insurance if it doesn't pass." Tom Crimmins. Age: 45. Occupation: Community activist. "It's basically the Legislature, controlled by the Republicans, who are controlled by the corporations, shifting tax burdens from the corporations to the individual. It's certainly necessary that we support our schools. I'm going to vote for Measure 28 but I would like to see the corporations take up their own burdens. I'd also like to see new development paying for the costs of growth, which they don't do, which is one part of the problem. The bottom line is we've got to support the schools and keep the schools alive." Peggy Bennett. Age: 76. Occupation: Retired. Bennett lives with her daughter and her two grandsons, ages 9 and 11. "I'm going to vote yes. I'm not sure if it's the right thing to do, but that's what I'll do. I'm not sure if it's the right thing because of all the things I've read, the pros and cons in the paper - the lottery should help the schools more and they said there's been mismanagement of funds. I think they've got to have it (Measure 28 revenue) because it's just going to turn into a Third World country here in Oregon if we don't. It's only for three years and in that three years they should be able to figure out something. I don't think they're lying. I think it's going to be tough if it doesn't pass. I want my grandchildren to have lots of schooling." Bill Henderson. Age: 33. Henderson is a student of diesel technology at Rogue Community College. "It's sad that we have to go to these measures but we need it right now. The schools are in trouble. Special needs people are going to be in trouble. I personally think we shouldn't have to go this far, but it doesn't seem like our state leaders can figure anything else out to save us. It's like emergency funding." The mail-in ballots must be received by Tuesday, Jan. 28. Postmarks don't count. Ballots may be hand delivered to the Ashland Public Library at 410 Siskiyou Blvd. The library will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. LINKS: DAILY TIDINGS: Main | News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. OTHER: Road Cams Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -