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48 °F Forecast | Road Cams Friday, February 20, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend February 4, 2004 State Rep. Alan Bates, D-Ashland, discusses the defeat of Measure 30 with supporters of the surcharge during a gathering at Abby�s Pizza in Medford. To Bates�s left is Amy Amrhein, a member of the Ashland School Committee. Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell Voters sink Measure 30 Jackson County vote gave slightly more support to it than state vote By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune Jackson County voters rejected Measure 30 Tuesday, but by a surprisingly narrower margin than the state as a whole. The measure, which would have raised taxes to prevent more cuts to schools, health care services and public safety, was defeated by 54 percent of county voters compared to 60 percent throughout Oregon. "It demoralizes me, because I thought it would be more," said Medford resident Larry Baines, a member of the anti-tax group, Citizens for a Sound Economy. Baines said some Jackson County residents gave in to threats that vital government services will be cut. "At the last minute they fell for the line that all of this stuff is going to be taken away from us," he said. He had expected at least 75 percent of the voters would denounce the measure, but still thinks it sends a message to Salem. Advertisement "The people are sick and tired of all of the lies of those in the Legislature," he said. Shady Cove resident Roger King, who is also a member of Citizens for a Sound Economy, said of the results, "It’s disappointing that it’s not more. We didn’t work hard enough in educating people." He was particularly surprised that Jackson County voters appeared to support the measure in greater numbers than the rest of the state. "It seems like there would be more noes here than up north," he said. Ashland Rep. Alan Bates, addressing a crowd of Measure 30 supporters in Medford Tuesday night, said that with the lack of support of northern counties the measure didn’t stand a chance. He said counties like Multnomah have passed their own tax measures to bolster government programs. "They’re saying, ‘You need to carry your own water out there,’ and I can understand that," Bates said. After a meeting with Gov. Ted Kulongoski and other legislative leaders recently, Bates said, "We’re not going back into special session. There is no extra money. It’s a sad state of affairs." The cuts to schools, health services and public safety will go through, he said. And, contrary to some rumors, Bates said, "There is no secret plan." The effects of these cuts will have immediate repercussions on seniors and those needing health care, he said. But the long-range problems will plague the state for years to come, Bates said. "In the next 10 years, kids who didn’t get a good education will be out getting into trouble." Ashland School Board Member Amy Amrhein, who helped spearhead a local effort to pass Measure 30, said the results in Jackson County are encouraging. "We moved closer than 28," she said, referring to Measure 28 where 56 percent of voters rejected it. She said the coalition formed to pass Measure 30 will now work for tax reform in Oregon to ensure more stable funding for education. Many voters agonized over their ballot decision. Talent resident Kathy Balero, who dropped her ballot off Tuesday evening, said she remained undecided up to the last minute. "I don’t want to pay more taxes," she said. But, she couldn’t bring herself to vote no. "I voted for the schools, of course," she said. Central Point resident John Pruett said, "My wife and I canceled each other out." He voted against the measure; she voted for it. Pruett said, "People in Salem need to spend it smarter. They keep putting it on our backs." County/state vote Jackson County — 100% of the vote: Yes 27,670 (46.1%); No 32,278 (53.9%) State — 86% of the vote: Yes, 384,143 (40%); No, 573,937 (60%) Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. 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