Most Oregonians remember November's election well enough to recall the basics of Measure 97—the one that sought to increase corporate taxes to fund schools—and also 99—the one that funded outdoors programs for schools—but when one KBOO reporter looked around the station, no one seemed to remember what that hazy measure 98 was all about.
As it turns out, Measure 98 was a huge deal.....if you were a philanthropic billionaire trying to meddle in Oregon public ed. Big enough of a deal to fundraise over $8 million , while the NO campaign didn't have any campaign funds to speak of.
KBOO reporter Canaan Schlesinger spoke with Deb Mayer of Parents Across America Oregon, and Oregon Senator Lew Frederick to help begin to untangle the knot of this measure; why was so much money funneled into Measure 98 when there was, and still is, no funding to implement it? Who was behind the fundraising of those $8 million in campaign contributions? If Oregon's in debt by over $1 billion then why are we passing legislation without funds? Won't this require redirecting funds from other programs?
Tune in if you seek answers to these questions and more!
More information can also be found on Parents Across America Oregon's website
- KBOO