Dennis Tuuri

Full PEAPAC Analysis

PEAPAC Explanation: This Measure is an example of what has become known as “ballot box budgeting.” This is an increasing trend across the nation as citizens become more and more frustrated over how their State Legislatures spend tax dollars. Such an approach does have some shortcomings. Its effectiveness can be thwarted if the Legislature redirects the portion of tax dollars left to their control. For instance, in this case, the Oregon Legislature could simply reduce the tax money given to public safety programs by the same amount raised through lottery funds. Additionally, some attribute California’s financial woes to unintended consequences resulting from mandates that came through ballot box budgeting.

Having said that, this Measure would have the practical effect of redirecting state lottery money from activities that are not clearly given to the civil government (e.g. education) to those activities that are specifically designated as the job of rulers, such as criminal justice ( see Romans 12:17-13:3 and 1 Peter 2:14) . We therefore recommend a Yes vote on Measure 62.