Higher Education: Growing up, I learned the value of higher education from my father, who taught at the University of Oregon. I later attended U of O, and graduated from what used to be U of O Medical School. As a product of Oregon's higher education system, I know its value in my life and in the lives of thousands of Oregonians. As demand grows for a more highly educated work force, the role of Oregon's state colleges and universities becomes increasingly important as part of a strong statewide education system. As Governor, I'm committed to providing the state system of higher education with the resources to attract top-notch teachers and researchers. In my 1995-1997 budget plan, I've designated a modest tuition increase to help us achieve this goal while keeping a college education within reach financially.
Measure 8: The State must be able to offer a competitive compensation package if it is to attract a high-quality work force. Nowhere is this more evident than in the state higher education system, where the precarious funding situation has led to a brain drain of talented teachers and researchers to other states. I agree that reform to the Public Employees Retirement System is in order, but the proper way to address this is through collective bargaining and the legislative process, not through an initiative. Any reform must be fair, both to Oregon taxpayers and to State workers.
Measures 7 and 13: I strongly oppose the Oregon Citizens Alliance's repeated efforts to impose their divisive political agenda on Oregonians. This year's Measure 13 is only more of the same that we saw with 1992's Measure 9--an effort to codify discrimination and divide Oregonians. Measure 7, in contrast, may effectively bar discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, age, or national origin. However, its full effects are unclear, and I have not taken a position on this measure. I urge all Oregonians to work together to defeat Measure 13.
Measures 5 and 20: I am committed to balancing the 1995-1997 budget with existing revenue. Nonetheless, passing Ballot Measure 5, known as the "son of 5," would be a grave error. It would leave government agencies unable to marshal their resources effectively to meet changing needs. Taken to the extreme, a city would have to request a popular vote to institute a five-cent increase in photocopying fees for building permits, or a statewide vote would be required to raise subscription fees for a magazine published by a state agency. The result would be truly unprecedented government gridlock.
According to budget estimates, Measure 20, the"Equal Tax" initiative, would cost Oregon at least $490 million next year--money that the State can't afford to lose. A two percent tax on all transactions may sound good, but it can't come close to meeting Oregonians' needs for education, police, prisons, and services for the elderly. These two measures say far more about public mistrust of government than they do about the public's opposition to garbage pickup or sewer fees. As Governor, I will work to restore that trust, no matter what happens with "Son of 5."