By JEFF BARNARD
Associated Press Writer
November 4, 2008
PORTLAND, Ore. -- A measure undercutting the power of Oregon's unique double-majority rule to limit tax increases was leading in early voting.
The vote was 55.4 percent to 44.6 percent with 37 percent of the vote counted Tuesday. Measure 56 eliminates the need for a majority of registered voters to turn out in May and November elections in order for votes on local tax measures to count. Previously, only the general election in even-numbered years was exempt.
As part of an anti-tax movement in 1996, Oregon became the first and only state in the nation to embrace the double-majority.
While it held down taxes, the rule hamstrung efforts by rural counties to balance their budgets as federal timber revenues disappeared, the result of national forest logging cutbacks to protect the spotted owl and salmon.
Double-majority measure leading in Oregon
November 4, 2008
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