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November 22, 2006

Sizemore's Plans to Monopolize Union $$ in 2008

Bill Sizemore isn't letting the dust settle after all of his ballot measures failed this year. In his latest editorial he expresses his disappointment over the right wing's losses and then tells us all about his plans for 2008. If you were hoping for a slow-down in ballot measures, you will likely be disappointed. And if you are the member of a public employee union and had grand ideas of post-Sizemore political projects, you will also be disappointed, as Sizemore has other plans for your union's political money.

Here is what Sizemore has planned for public employee unions to spend their campaign dollars on in 2008 (note that he uses the royal "we" quite often. Almost always, it really should be "I"):

1) We currently are collecting signatures on a measure that each year would allow a property owner to make up to $35,000 in improvements to his or her property without a building permit. Yes, the electrical portion would have to be signed off by a licensed electrical contractor and the owner would have to make full disclosure of all such remodeling to a prospective buyer, but otherwise, what a blow for freedom. Think of it. You could actually go out and nail some boards on the back of your house (or the front for that matter) without having to ask for the government’s permission. (This one’s for you, Stu Miller.) [Full Disclosure: Stu Miller is my husband and was the Chief Petitioner on Measure 7, the predecessor to Measure 37]

2) We also are collecting signatures on a measure that would end English as a second language programs and instead require that non-English speaking students in public schools be immersed in English. This would end one of the teachers union’s favorite scams: Keep immigrant students sidelined in ESL courses for six years so the district can collect $2,650 more per year per student.

3) We are collecting signatures on a measure that would require that future pay raises for public school teachers be based in classroom performance, not teacher seniority. And when lay-offs occur, the schools would be required to keep the best teachers, not those who have been there the longest. Imagine that, putting the good of the children above the demands of the teachers union.

4) We are working on a measure to give property owners a break on their property taxes when they turn 65. The measure phases the property tax out gradually as seniors grow older and eliminates them entirely at age 80. Wouldn’t it be nice to actually own your property and not have to rent it from the government, even if you have to wait until you’re 80 years old to do it. This measure is called the Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption Act.

5) We are working on a measure to stop unauthorized union payroll deductions for politics, and a measure to end Oregon’s $80,000 income requirement, which currently prohibits building a home on farm land until you have generated $80,000 in farm income for two years. Try earning $80,000 a year in farm income on a five or ten acre parcel without growing marijuana.

Sounds like we're in for another fight on multiple fronts. Some of these ideas have merit and could be the basis of some good legislation (most notably the English immersion one and the $80,000 income one), but I'm betting the language is so "poorly written" that "unintended consequences" will result. What do you think of Sizemore's agenda for 2008?

Posted by Becky at November 22, 2006 08:41 AM