Filed: April 6, 2000

BILL SIZEMORE,

Petitioner,

v.

HARDY MYERS,
Attorney General,
State of Oregon,

Respondent,

KENNETH LEWIS
AND BEVERLY STEIN,

Intervenors.

En Banc

On petition to review ballot title.

Argued and submitted March 22, 2000.

Gregory W. Byrne, Portland, argued the cause and filed the petition for petitioner.

Kaye E. McDonald, Assistant Attorney General, Salem, argued the cause and filed the answering memorandum for respondent. With her on the answering memorandum were Hardy Myers, Attorney General, and Michael D. Reynolds, Solicitor General.

Steven Novick, Portland, argued the cause and filed a memorandum for intervenors.

PER CURIAM

Ballot title certified. This decision shall become effective in accordance with ORAP 11.30(10).

PER CURIAM

This is a ballot title review proceeding brought under ORS 250.085(2). Petitioner is an elector who timely submitted written comments concerning the content of the draft ballot title submitted to the Secretary of State and who therefore is entitled to seek review of the ballot title certified by the Attorney General. See Id. (setting that requirement).

We have considered petitioner's argument concerning the ballot title certified by the Attorney General. We conclude that petitioner has not shown that the Attorney General's certified ballot title fails to comply substantially with the standards for such ballot titles set out in ORS 250.035(2)(a) to (d) (1997). (1) See ORS 250.085(5) (setting out standard of review). Accordingly, we certify to the Secretary of State the following ballot title:

RESULT OF "YES" VOTE: "Yes" vote restricts certain "income-tax breaks" (defined) estimated to benefit taxpayers with highest incomes.

RESULT OF "NO" VOTE: "No" vote leaves constitution without restriction on "income-tax breaks" benefiting taxpayers with highest incomes.

SUMMARY: Amends constitution. Measure prohibits new "income tax breaks" estimated to benefit taxpayers with incomes exceeding those of 99 percent of Oregon taxpayers unless, for all taxpayers, break computed as fixed equal-dollar amount per taxpayer or dependent, or as fixed equal-dollar amount that changes based on taxpayer's filing status. Defines "income tax break" as deduction, exclusion, exemption or subtraction from income, preferential rate, tax credit. Defines "income." Exceptions include: home mortgage interest, charitable contributions, fixed-amount breaks limited by income tax liability. Authorizes legislation.

Ballot title certified. This decision shall become effective in accordance with ORAP 11.30(10).

1. The 1999 Legislature amended ORS 250.035(2) in several respects. Or Laws 1999, ch 793,