Let’s turn around Oregon education
Years of recession-related cuts, on top of decades of disinvestment, have taken a toll on Oregon’s public schools. We now rank near the bottom in the nation for school funding with some of the largest classes, shortest school years and lowest graduation rates in the country.
On Nov. 8, we have the opportunity to end this decline — as long as we pass Measure 97 and ensure the election of pro-worker, pro-education candidates to the Oregon Legislature.
Many of our public education woes are the result of how our schools are funded. Prior to 1990, public education was primarily funded with local property taxes, but passage of Measure 5 shifted the burden from local governments to the state. This funding model, however, is especially vulnerable to recession, while state investment in K-12 and higher education has not kept up with population growth.
The Quality Education Model, the guiding document behind school funding in Oregon, identifies a $2 billion funding gap in 2015-17. If we made up this shortfall, the Quality Education Commission says Oregon would move up to about 15th in per-pupil funding for K-12 — Oregon’s ranking before Measure 5 took effect.
Measure 97 is estimated to raise about $3 billion per year by increasing the minimum tax for large and out-of-state corporations with more than $25 million in annual Oregon sales. This new revenue would help close the education funding gap, as well as better fund health care and senior services.
We must also elect candidates that align with our values: a strong public education system with effective employee protections and robust collective bargaining rights. The 51 candidates featured in this special section have earned OSEA’s endorsement because they have passed our rigorous, member-led endorsement process.
In order to gain ground, every single one of us must participate in our democracy by voting this fall.
What you can do to help:
- Post who you are voting for and why on Facebook.
- Talk with a family member about why education needs to be a priority.
- Post a list of endorsed candidates in your break room.
- Place a bumper sticker on your car.
- Volunteer to post lawn signs in your neighborhood (remember to ask your neighbors).
- Call 800-252-6732 to volunteer.
FAQs:
When will I receive my ballot?
Ballots for overseas and military voters were mailed on Sept. 24 and ballots for out-of-state voters on Oct. 10. All remaining ballots will be mailed Oct. 19-25.
When do I need to return my ballot?
Nov. 8. If mailing your ballot, do so before Nov. 4. You can drop off your ballot at a drop box location through Nov. 8.
How do I find a ballot drop box?
Visit sos.state.or.us/dropbox.
Contribute to our political action fund
