Measure 115
Impeachment process for elected state executives
Oregon is the only state where the legislature does not have an impeachment process for the governor. That would change if Measure 115 passes.
Under the law, if the House impeaches an official with a two-thirds majority, the case would head to trial in the Senate. The Senate could convict the official with a two-thirds majority. The Oregon Supreme Court chief justice would oversee the trial.
A “yes” vote amends the Oregon Constitution to establish a process for impeaching state elected officials in the executive branch, including the governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, attorney general, and commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries.
A “no” vote leaves the status quo intact.
Republicans and Democrats support the measure. With a few abstentions, the House and Senate passed a unanimous, bipartisan joint resolution in 2023, referring Measure 115 to voters.
Measure 116
Independent Public Service Compensation Commission
If passed, this measure will create an Independent Public Service Compensation Commission, or IPSCC, to determine salaries for elected officials, including the governor, secretary of state, state treasurer, attorney general, commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries, Judicial Department judges, and state legislators.
Currently, legislators vote on salaries for those offices, including their own. Critics argue that Oregon’s comparatively low pay scale favors the wealthy, as people without independent wealth often work full-time jobs in addition to government work.
A “yes” vote adds text to the Oregon Constitution, establishing and automatically funding the commission.
A “no” vote leaves the status quo intact.
State officers, lobbyists and immediate family members of such individuals are not eligible for membership in the IPSCC.
Republicans and Democrats support the measure. The House passed the bill 47-3 to place this measure on the ballot, and the Senate passed it 21-4. Only Republicans voted against it or abstained.
Measure 117
Establish Oregon ranked-choice voting for federal and state offices
Ranked-choice voting, or RCV, has been in the Oregon news lately, as more cities and counties across the state, including Portland, want to change how their votes are counted. (See Street Roots’ coverage of RCV on page 8 and at streetroots.org.)
Measure 117 would allow voters to rank their choices at the state level for primary and general elections for federal and state executive offices beginning in 2028. That includes the president, U.S. senator, U.S. representative, governor, secretary of state, attorney general, state treasurer, and commissioner of the Bureau of Labor and Industries.
A “yes” vote allows Oregon to implement ranked-choice voting for certain races beginning in 2028.
A “no” vote leaves the status quo intact.
Supporters say RCV is a more democratic process, allowing voters to rank their preferred candidates rather than choosing just one. This method leaves more voters satisfied with the outcome.
Opponents, often conservative, say RCV allows candidates to win who may not otherwise have had a chance — something proponents say is a feature, not a bug — and can create confusion for voters. However, voter confusion can be addressed through education about the process.
Measure 118
Corporate tax revenue rebate for residents
There may be no clearer method to address poverty than raising the corporate tax rate and investing the money in people. Measure 118 seeks to increase the corporate minimum tax by imposing an additional 3% tax on annual sales over $25 million and redistributing it to eligible Oregonians. Supporters say this will help address poverty, while opponents, which include many corporate entities, say the measure could push recipients into a service gap, making them ineligible for federal benefits.
A “yes” vote supports enacting the tax.
A “no” vote leaves the status quo intact.
Opponents of the measure include some of the world’s largest corporations, such as Nike, Intel and Koch Industries. Opponents reported over $5.8 million in cash and in-kind contributions opposing the measure.
Republicans and Democrats, including Gov. Tina Kotek, also oppose the measure. Key local opposition donors include business advocacy groups involved in the closed-door “Central City Taskforce” Kotek convened in August 2023, such as the Oregon Business Council, Portland Metro Chamber and The Standard Insurance Company. These organizations contributed a combined $1.8 million in cash and in-kind contributions to the opposition committee. Oregon Business & Industry, Oregon Farm Bureau, Tax Fairness Oregon, and Western States Petroleum Association also oppose the measure.
The Oregon Progressive Party, Oregon Working Families Party, Pacific Green Party and Progressive Democrats of America support the measure, having reported over $829,000 in cash and in-kind contributions.
Measure 119
United for Cannabis Workers
Oregon cannabis workers can hardly wait for the federal government to guarantee them the same rights as workers in other industries. This measure addresses ambiguities in federal law that effectively deny cannabis workers the right to collectively bargain under the National Labor Relations Act, despite cannabis being legal in Oregon for nearly a decade.
A “yes” vote requires employers to remain neutral in cannabis industry collective bargaining and introduces penalties for violations.
A “no” vote keeps the status quo intact.
If passed, the law would require employers to submit a signed labor peace agreement to the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission, allowing labor organizations to represent employees without fear of retaliation.
The United Food and Commercial Workers union is the largest donor to the committee supporting the measure, contributing $2.4 million.
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This article appears in October 23, 2024.