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State labor federation prioritizes political plansSALEM, OR -- The Oregon AFL-CIO has put into "abeyance" its plans to try to place a tax fairness initiative on the Nov. 3 general election ballot. The state labor federation and the Oregon State Council of Service Employees have been meeting since last summer drafting an initiative that would equalize personal and corporate tax rates. Several versions of the initiative filed with the secretary of state have been challenged by business groups, but at least one, Initiative 67 (the Fair Tax and Tax Relief Act) has been approved for signature gathering. But with so many initiatives attacking labor, and with important House and Senate seats up for grabs in 1998, the Oregon AFL-CIO will take a new approach. Instead, the state labor federation will join the Service Employees Council in focusing attention on two new initiatives -- while opposing a series of anti-union measures being sponsored by right-wing activist and GOP candidate for governor Bill Sizemore. The new labor measures are the Defense of Democracy Act (Initiative 71) and the Open and Fair Elections Act (Initiative 74). I-71 would amend the Oregon Constitution to require "supermajority" measures such as Sizemore-sponsored Initiatives 44 and 68 (that would require a two-thirds' majority to raise any new taxes or fees or to expand services) be required themselves to pass by a two-thirds' majority. I-74 would require immediate disclosure of campaign contributions above $500; disclosure of funding for signature-gathering efforts; regulate signature-gathering agencies; require identification of paid political advertising and protect the right to use payroll deductions for contributions. The Oregon AFL-CIO reiterated its support of I-47 which would allow vote-by-mail in all elections, and for a "yes" vote on Measure 53, which will be on the May primary ballot. The measure would repeal the double-majority law that requires 50 percent plus one of all registered voters cast ballots in order to pass certain property tax measures. Sizemore and his group, Oregon Taxpayers United, have filed more than 20 initiatives with the secretary of state. Five have received ballot titles and all five are being opposed by the AFL-CIO. Of most concern is I-18, which is part of a national campaign to silence workers' and unions from the political process. The Oregon measure would prohibit public employees and their unions from using payroll-deduction dues or voluntary member contributions to oppose or promote ballot measures or candidates. Initiative 37 mandates contracting out on demand to any entity that promises a 20 percent cost savings -- without competitive bidding. It would allow private entities to take over public land, buildings and equipment. The only exceptions are police, criminal court, elections and the functions of elected officials. Initiative 44 would create tight revenue and spending limits for every unit of government in the state and it would require a two-thirds vote to suspend the limits, but allows a simple majority vote to tighten spending limits. Initiative 68 would require a two-thirds supermajority to approve most new or increased taxes or fees or repeal of tax breaks. It would apply retroactively to elections held the prior year. The measure also prohibits government publications from stating how new or increased taxes or fees will be used. A fifth initiative, Number 43, would dissolve regional governments, specifically Metro. Sizemore said recently that he will forgo the initiative so that he can concentrate on running for governor, but several union officials are skeptical and will keep their eyes out for signature gatherers. The Oregon AFL-CIO has made it a top priority to elect State Representative Mike Fahey as labor commissioner. Fahey is executive secretary of the Portland Metal Trades Council and is running against incumbent Jack Roberts in the non-partisan race. If either candidate receives 50 percent plus one vote in the May primary he will win. Also on the state labor federation's priority list are re-electing Darlene Hooley in Oregon's Fifth Congressional District and electing a Democrat in the open First Congressional District. Linda Peters and David Wu are vying for the Democratic nomination for the seat being vacated by Elizabeth Furse. Neither candidate was able to garner a two-thirds majority needed for an endorsement. On March 13 the AFL-CIO's Committee on Political Education (COPE) took endorsement action only in contested primary races. COPE endorsed Democrat Kevin Campbell and Republican Greg Walden in the Second Congressional District primary races. State Representative Margaret Carter received labor's backing in the 16-person race for superintendent of public instruction and Court of Appeals Judge William Riggs was endorsed for Supreme Court, Position 7. Riggs is a former labor attorney. The AFL-CIO has targeted 24 House district races and eight Senate district races in the general election. Currently the state House is made up of 31 Republicans and 29 Democrats. Thirteen Republicans and nine Democrats are term-limited out of office, meaning 22 seats are open. The Senate is controlled by 20 Republicans and 10 Democrats (which includes Mae Yih of Albany, who has a 30 percent voting record on labor issues). "Since anti-worker lawmakers have taken control of the State Legislature we've seen a wide range of anti-worker and anti-union legislation introduced," said Oregon AFL-CIO President Irv Fletcher. Some of that legislation includes repeal of the "little" Davis-Bacon Act, "right-to-work (for less)," rollbacks in public employee collective bargaining, minimum wage and family leave. Fletcher said the state labor federation hasn't forgotten Governor John Kitzhaber in his bid for re-election, or U.S. Senator Ron Wyden. Both Democrats have token competition in the May primary. "Should the polls indicate a tightening in either of those races, we will be there," Fletcher said.
Oregon AFL-CIO Primary Endorsements
Oregon Senate
Oregon House © Oregon Labor Press Publishing Co. Inc.
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