FreedomWorks Files Four New Oregon Ballot Initiatives

Building on the grassroots movement that defeated the Measure 30 tax increase last year, FreedomWorks announced today that it has filed four new ballot initiatives to restrain the growth in state government spending.

FreedomWorks was formed in July 2004 by a merger between Citizens for a Sound Economy (CSE) and Empower America, and the organization has a long history in the state of Oregon. In 2004, FreedomWorks/CSE and its affiliated political action committees led the effort to force a referendum vote on a billion dollar state tax increase. The tax increase ballot item, Measure 30, was defeated by an overwhelming 59% to 41% vote, demonstrating Oregon’s broad, bipartisan opposition to higher taxes.
FreedomWorks is now organizing that same popular majority in support of spending reforms.

Between 1989 and 2003 Oregon’s general fund budget increased an astonishing 151 percent, faster than any other state. The result: spending deficits and demands for billion dollar tax increases. It’s time to fix the underlying problem. FreedomWorks is proposing four different solutions for consideration as part of the 2006 election cycle:

1. Cap spending growth at 8.1% every budget cycle (over a two year period)
2. Cap spending growth 10.25% every budget cycle (over a two year period)
3. Limit spending growth to personal income growth
4. Limit spending growth to population and inflation growth

FreedomWorks Oregon State Director Russ Walker commented:

“During the Measure 30 campaign, we promised our supporters we would work to restore trust in the Oregon government. The problem is out-of-control spending, and FreedomWorks is now moving forward with solutions. These initiatives will return the voice of Oregon voters and Oregon taxpayers to the state budget process, and these measures will help rein in the reckless growth in state government spending. All four proposals are practical solutions that will allow robust growth while still requiring the Oregon legislature to live within its means.”

“We’re offering a responsible solution to out-of-control spending in Salem, and we look forward to the debate and signature campaign over the months ahead.”