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CLEAR Temp: 27 °F Wind: S at 4 mph Monday, February 10, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend January 30, 2003 Voters counter their own needs Communities that rely on county services tended to vote against Oregon’s tax increase By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune Jackson County communities that rely the most on government health programs resoundingly rejected a tax increase that would have helped preserve some of those services. A precinct analysis of voting patterns for Measure 28 shows that areas such as west Medford and the upper Rogue River had a larger share of no votes than the county average. These same communities also have the highest participation in county programs for child welfare or mental health, according to statistics compiled by Jackson County Health and Human Services. Measure 28, which would have raised $725 million in additional taxes over three years, was turned down 55 percent to 45 percent both in the county and statewide. Many voters cited mistrust of government and anger at legislators as their main reasons for opposing an income tax hike to help preserve programs that benefit the disabled and elderly. "Measure 28 was an obvious attempt at job preservation by those Salem slackers — they ducked their legislative responsibilities and decided to make the voters make that decision," said Ashland resident Tom Besich. He thinks legislators are using scare tactics by telling voters such things as old people will be turned out of nursing homes if the measure fails. Wimer resident Ron McIntosh said, "Taxation, in any form, is a process of ‘stealing’ from one group and giving the proceeds to someone else." Disputing what some politicians might think, McIntosh believes voters want less government, not more. "Oregonians have voted to downsize the government, simply because we are not creating enough new wealth to contribute to more government spending," he said. But some areas that voted against the tax hike at a higher-than-average rate are also receiving a higher-than-average level of government health services. In west Medford, which represents about 40 percent of the county’s clients in many health service programs, 58 percent of voters rejected the tax hike. "West Medford is definitely one of our big users," said Hank Collins, health and human services director. Out of 14 programs that Collins provided data for, west Medford represented anywhere from 31 to 43 percent of the clients who use county services. In the upper Rogue River area, which includes White City, Eagle Point and Shady Cove, voters turned down the measure by at least 2-to-1. However, they represent about 20 percent of clients in health services ranging from food stamps to medical programs. East Medford was typically the third highest user of government health services. While east Medford as a whole defeated Measure 28, two precincts in that area supported it. On the other hand, Ashland and Talent, which were the only communities in the county that overwhelmingly endorsed the measure, typically represent 10 percent or less of clients in county programs. Despite the overall defeat of the measure, Collins said it did better than initial expectations partly because of a concerted effort by human services advocates across the state who encouraged clients to get out to the polls. Jackson County, which typically votes more conservatively than the state average, had a voter turnout of 65 percent in Tuesday’s election, almost the equivalent of the November election when 67 percent turned out. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy webmaster feedback A D V E R T I S E R S