Earth Day Statement: Global Warming Solutions 4/21/2008

On Earth Day, Oregonians take it upon themselves to figure out ways to reduce their impact on the environment, to reduce their carbon footprint. But elected officials, from Congress to the state Legislature, have a unique responsibility on Earth Day because they are in a position to reduce our carbon footprint on a much bigger scale and move us toward energy independence.

Measure 49: Addressing the Threat of Measure 37 Development to Oregon Farms 10/18/2007

Oregon is a state deeply connected to its farmland. Oregon has 40,000 farm businesses, primarily family-owned. And urban Oregonians are increasingly connected to local agriculture as they express ever-stronger interest in locally-grown foods. Unfortunately, Measure 37 claims propose to develop housing on more than 500,000 acres of farm land, nearly 40% more than the largest amount of farm land lost in any 5-year period since 1982. On average, Oregon lost about 165,000 acres of farm land in each five-year period between 1982 and 2002—Measure 37 claims thus total more than three times the average amount of land lost in a five-year period.

Measure 49: Protecting Oregon's Wine Country 9/26/2007

More than 100,000 acres of Oregon's best potential vineyard lands are currently under claims for development of subdivisions, gravel pits, and other projects because of Measure 37. These developments constitute a serious threat to Oregon's $1.6 billion wine industry. Measure 49, a ballot measure before Oregon voters on November 6, would protect these high-value vineyard lands, as well as other farm and forest lands, from damaging development.

Both sides of Measure 49 say opponents' ads are misleading 11/04/2007

Both sides of Measure 49 are trading comments about a final round of television and other ads before Tuesday's election. Ads in support urge voters to look at the explanatory language on the ballot: "Modifies Measure 37; clarifies right to build homes; limits large developments; protects farms, forests, groundwater."

Votes light so far on weighty issues 11/04/2007

Preserving Oregon's farmland and scenic beauty. Protecting property rights. Extending health insurance to 100,000 youths. Raising taxes for smokers. Measures 49 and 50 put weighty issues on Tuesday's statewide ballot -- issues that long have aroused residents' passions. Yet voters don't seem enthusiastic, despite hefty TV advertising for both measures and record spending by tobacco companies.

SORTING FACT FROM SPIN IN MEASURE 49 CAMPAIGN ADS 11/03/2007

For weeks, TV viewers have been greeted by images of unhappy folks who share their fears of depleted retirement savings, seized property and vanished inheritances. All are warning of a grim future for perhaps every Oregonian if Measure 49 passes in Tuesday’s election. Meanwhile, remote-control-wielding Oregonians also have been told that they can help farmers protect their way of life and livelihood and contain the sprawl of subdivisions and strip malls, if they just follow the advice of farmers, firefighters and others, and pass Measure 49.