With November’s statewide Special Election rapidly approaching, most registered Oregonians are receiving their ballots by mail this week. Two state measures are on the ballot, and both have received considerable attention from the media and special interests alike. While both Measures 49 and 50 will have a noticeable impact on the quality of life in our state, Measure 50 stands to have a greater financial impact among non-property owners, including college students.

Measure 50 is a tobacco tax bill, placed on the ballot by the Oregon State Legislature earlier this year. If passed, the bill will raise Oregon’s state tobacco tax by 84.5 cents per pack, from its current rate of $1.18 per pack to the proposed rate of $2.02 per pack. The legislature’s fiscal office estimates that, if passed, revenues for the state would increase by more than $150 million for the remainder of the 2007-2009 fiscal period. During the 2009-2011 fiscal period - the first full term in which the tax increase would be in effect - revenue would increase by more than $230 million. Seventy percent of the tax money would be allocated towards funding Oregon’s Healthy Kids Program. The rest would be distributed to healthcare programs for low-income adults, tobacco prevention and education, and health services in rural areas.  More…

Posted on October 24, 2007 | Return to the NEWS Archive