Public Safety Passed General Election
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PEAPAC Recommends: YES

Biblical liability laws (Open Pit) require owners to fix unsafe property; safety is a priority for stewardship.

Summary

Authorizes state bonds to retro-fit emergency services buildings for earthquake safety.

Biblical Reasoning

The Scriptures make it clear that if we know something we own is unsafe, we have an obligation to correct the problem. See, for example, the “open pit” law found in Exodus 21:33 and 34.

Exodus 21:33-34 — “See, for example, the “open pit” law found in Exodus 21:33 and 34.”

Election Results

56%
44%
YesNo

Voters approved the seismic rehabilitation bonds for emergency buildings (56% Yes).

Full PEAPAC Analysis

PEAPAC Recommendation: We support both Measures [15 and 16], neither of which creates new taxes. Property owners have an obligation to take reasonable steps to protect people using their property. Additionally, the State should maintain the value of these structures. We encourage the 2003 Legislature to make cuts in social programs and public school personnel expenses to pay for these repairs.

PEAPAC Commentary: When we see a bond measure on the ballot, we tend to think of it as a tax increase and vote No. While neither of these measures have the immediate effect of raising taxes, there are two reasons to be wary of them. First, the Legislature seems incapable of making meaningful spending cuts. Second, the increasing amount of state bonded indebtedness is worrisome.

Still, there are compelling reasons to support these Measures. The Scriptures make it clear that if we know something we own is unsafe, we have an obligation to correct the problem. See, for example, the “open pit” law found in Exodus 21:33 and 34. We may disagree with the way the State is currently using some public buildings. But even if we advocate selling them at some point in the future, we would want, as good stewards, to take reasonable steps to maintain their value.

But what about the tax issue? Are bonds just a way to raise taxes? Not really. The usual reason why the state resorts to bond measures is to amortize capital costs over a number of years. You can think of this as similar to the way most people buy a house or make major renovations to property by paying the costs with a loan pledging a portion of their income over 20 or 30 years. Of course, the bonds must be paid back with taxpayer dollars. But this Measure does not raise any new taxes. Rather, it can be thought of as prioritizing the safety and maintenance of the affected buildings in the budgeting deliberations of the next few decades.

We agree with the Legislature in making the safety and upkeep of important State buildings a high priority as we exercise careful stewardship over the tax dollars of Oregon families. So, we recommend a YES vote on Measures 15 and 16. But we also hope the Legislature will commit itself to making the necessary spending cuts that will fund the repayment of these debts.

Related Measures

Measure 15 (2002) — Companion bond measure for seismic rehabilitation of education buildings View →

← PreviousMeasure 15 (2002)