New ballot measure in Oregon allows voters to determine officials’ salaries.

Oregon Lawmakers Pass Bills to Empower Voters and Reform State Leadership

Oregon lawmakers have made significant strides as the 2023 legislative session drew to a close last week. These new bills pave the way for voters to have a greater say in the election process and establish fair salary protocols for state leaders.

Empowering Voters

The legislature has taken steps to put several measures on the statewide ballot in November 2024. One of these measures involves a resolution that could potentially lead to pay raises for specific public officials. Lawmakers are seeking voter approval to create an Independent Public Service Compensation Commission. This commission would be responsible for determining salaries for elected officials, legislators, elected district attorneys, and judges.

Accountability and Transparency

This measure comes in the wake of a scandal involving former Secretary of State Shemia Fagan. Fagan resigned earlier this year after it was revealed that she had been consulting with a cannabis company under investigation by her own department. Fagan justified her actions by claiming her salary was insufficient to meet her needs. She had accepted a $10,000 monthly payment from the cannabis company without consulting the Oregon Government Ethics Commission.

Recognizing the need for accountability, House Joint Resolution 16 will be on the ballot for voters. If passed, this resolution will allow the House to impeach officials at various levels for “willful neglect of statutory or constitutional duty or other felony or high crime.”

Enhancing the Voting System

Another important ballot measure that voters will have the opportunity to decide on is the implementation of ranked choice voting for federal and statewide races. If approved, local jurisdictions will receive the necessary resources to adopt this system in their elections.

Ranked choice voting is not a new concept in Oregon, as several counties, including Benton and Corvallis, have already embraced it. Recently, Portland and Multnomah counties also adopted this system. This trend is not limited to Oregon, as cities and counties across the nation, as well as entire states like Maine and Alaska, are recognizing the benefits of ranked choice voting.

Conclusion

The 2023 legislative session in Oregon was not without its challenges. A record-breaking six-week boycott by Senate Republicans resulted in the likely disqualification of 10 conservative lawmakers from seeking reelection. However, despite these obstacles, Democrats and Republicans ultimately found common ground to move forward.

While controversial bills on abortion and gender transition care were met with opposition, Democrats made the decision to remove certain provisions in order to bring an end to the walkout. This compromise allowed the legislative session to conclude on a positive note.

It is clear that Oregon lawmakers are committed to empowering voters, ensuring accountability, and enhancing the democratic process. By passing these bills, they have taken significant steps towards a more transparent and inclusive political landscape.

Source: The Washington Examiner