Wider rate protest

Press, 7 November 1978, Page 18

Wider rate protest

By

JOHN HUTCHISON

in Klamath Falls, Oregon

A powerful segment of Oregon’s property owners wants to paste the text of California’s new rates-limita-tion law into the consituation of Oregon.

California’s neighbour to the north is one of several American states where aggressive ratepayer movements have been inspired by California’s Proposition 13, adopted by a smashing majority last June. The Oregonians will vote this week on two such propositions, known here as “ballot measures.”

One is an initiative, through which a required number of voters petitioned successfully for the measure to go on the ballot to be adopted or rejected as law over the heads of the legislators. The other is a referendum. prepared by the legislature and presented to the voters for action.

Their purpose is like that of California’s — to relieve property owners of the escalating burden'of rates which has become the hottest political issue in many State elections across the country. The same cries of pain wrung from California’s administrators when “Prop 13” was qualified for the ballot are now heard in Oregon. In this small city of Klamath Falls, a centre of timber, cattle and potato businesses, the citv fathers, like others throughout the State, are nervouslv apprising the cuts they will face if either proposal is adopted.

The cause of their concern Is readilv apparent. The measure placed on the ballot

by voter petition, which is almost a carbon copy of the now-famous California law, would cut property taxes across the board by about 40 per cent, say the analysts.

The counter proposal, offered by the legislature, would have the effect of chopping a homeowner’s rates in half, but would not apply to other form sof real estate. It also offers some relief to renters — which the California model does not.

Oregon has a liberal reputation. often pioneering in social legislation, education, environmental protection and public services. But political observers here are now saying that Oregonians are turning toward conservatism. in a trend which many commentators claim to discern across the United States as a reaction, in the main, to economic anxieties and unrest about the crime rate. An Oregon writer, remarking on this State’s apparent rightward shift which he detects in the ratepayer attitudes, went on to say recently: “But other measures, notably those dealing with land use planning and canital punishment. also reflect a more conservative bent in manv voters.” He might also have listed an emotional fight being waeed he'-e over a proposal to forbid the use of Sate funds for abortions or services related to them. A measure on the Oregon ballot would restore the death penalty, voted out in 1964. Another would pull the

teeth from much of the law regulating land use and land use planning. Some libera! leaders fear that the ratepayer fervour will rub off on these other issues in a general expression of dissatisfaction with government.