Measure 50 Debate
In November 2007 Oregonians will decide Measure 50, a proposed constitutional amendment that would impose a tax increase on tobacco products to fund health coverage for the state’s more than100,000 uninsured low-income children. If the measure passes, a small portion of the new tax revenues would also be used to expand health coverage for medically underserved adults and to fund tobacco prevention programs.
Measure 50 raises significant questions that all Oregonians should consider: Is the measure a Band-Aid solution to a vexing public health problem? Will tobacco tax revenue meet the anticipated increases in health care costs? Is it fair to tax smokers, who are predominately low income, to help expand health coverage for low-income children? Does a specific tax rate belong in the Oregon Constitution?
Explore these and other questions on Friday, October 19, when Rep. Sara Gelser, a supporter of Measure 50, will debate J.L. Wilson, spokesperson for Oregonians Against the Blank Check, a political action committee opposing the measure.
Rep. Gelser, of Corvallis, is one of five legislators under the age of 35 in the Oregon House of Representatives. She has served on the Revenue Committee and the Health Care Committee and was Vice Chair of the Human Services and Women’s Wellness Committee. She is the legislative member of the Child Welfare Advisory Board.
J.L. Wilson is an advocate for Oregon’s business community in the legislative process. His firm, Galt Public Affairs, LLC, specializes in lobbying and public affairs for an array of business clients. From 1997 to 2007 he was the chief Oregon lobbyist for the National Federation of Independent Businesses, representing over12,000 small business owners in Oregon.
The debate will be moderated by Stephen Kanter, professor of law at Lewis and Clark Law School.
