Dennis Tuuri

Full PEAPAC Analysis

PEAPAC Explanation: If passed, Measure 83 would expand the current State of Oregon’s veterans loan program to include more recent veterans. Every American owes a debt of gratitude to the veterans that have served our nation so well throughout our history. It seems it is high time to pay the members of our armed services a more decent wage for the sacrificial work they perform. There is little doubt that this Measure will pass, being unopposed in the State Voters Pamphlet. Only one Legislator voted against this referral from the Legislature. But we think it’s in the best interests of all citizens, veterans and military personnel included, to defeat this Measure, and therefore ask you to consider our reasons for recommending a No vote on Measure 83.

First, the whole arena of soldiering is primarily a federal matter. While the State program differs significantly from the Federal, it still represents a duplication of effort in what should be a Federal priority. Second, this Measure would increase a portion of our State bureaucracy, which we think is already too large. Third, while this program calls for no new expenditure of tax dollars, the State has in recent memory been called on to bail out this same loan program.

Fourth, it seems to us that if our goal is to help vets, let’s pay them more when they are soldiering. For the civil government to muddy the waters of private enterprise through these sorts of programs is bad for the economy. The market should determine mortgage interest rates and loan eligibility, not the civil government. Measure 83 needlessly perpetuates a portion of the State bureaucracy. We ask you to consider voting No on Measure 83.