Oregon Ballot Measure 50 (1997)
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Oregon's Measure 50 of 1997 clarified the state constitutional property tax limits imposed by the previous year's Measure 47. The measure was sent to the voters by the legislature, as required for all constitutional amendments. The measure was approved by voters in the 20 May 1997 special election, with 429,943 votes in favor, and 341,781 votes against.[1] (http://www.sos.state.or.us/elections/may2097/other.info/m50abst.htm)
After the passage of Measure 47, as part of Oregon's ongoing anti-tax movement, there was some confusion as to how that measure would be interepreted by the courts. One interpretation had the measure reducing property tax revenues by $485 million, while another interpretation, provided by the state's Attorney General, had it only providing a reduction of $270 million. Much of this disagreement had to do with what limitations Measure 47 would place on increases in the assessment of a property's value. Measure 50 limited adjustments in assessments.
Proponents argued that Measure 50 was necessary to avoid a lengthy legal battle and budget uncertainty about the effect of Measure 47. Opponents argued that Measure 50, rather than being a re-write of 47, was an attempt to soften the limitations imposed by Measure 47. Indeed, the estimated financial impact of Measure 50 was a $361 million reduction, rather than Measure 47's intended $485 million reduction.
External links
- Oregon Voter's Guide page for Measure 50 (http://www.sos.state.or.us/elections/may2097/voters.guide/M50/M50.HTM)--includes the full text of the measure, explanitory statement, financial impact estimates, and arguments for and against