Pubdate: Sun, 26 Sep 2004
Source: Register-Guard, The (OR)
Copyright: 2004 The Register-Guard
Contact:  http://www.registerguard.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/362
Author: Brad Cain, The Associated Press
Cited: Measure 33 http://www.yeson33.org
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/Measure+33
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

GOVERNOR OPPOSES ALL 6 MEASURES

SALEM - When it comes to the six initiative measures on Oregon's Nov. 2 
ballot, Gov. Ted Kulongoski has some simple advice for voters: Just say no.

The measures, which range from a ban on gay marriage to an expansion of 
Oregon's medical marijuana law, would represent a "major step backward" for 
the state, Kulongoski said.

"They all are just the wrong public policy for Oregon."

Kulongoski opposes other initiatives to limit medical malpractice awards, 
require compensation or a waiver of regulations if the rules reduce 
property value, limit logging in the Tillamook State Forest and abolish 
SAIF Corp.

It's the first time in recent memory that a governor has come out against 
all of the initiatives on a single general election ballot.

Kulongoski's chief political foe, state Republican Chairman Kevin Mannix, 
said three of the measures deserve a "yes" vote - the gay marriage ban, the 
medical malpractice limit and the property compensation plan.

Mannix, who ran against Kulongoski in the 2002 governor's race, said he 
thinks Kulongoski's opposition to the measures stems in part from 
Democratic distrust of the initiative process.

"The Democratic Party has a great deal of intolerance for the people's 
right to initiate measures," Mannix said.

Kulongoski, however, said he strongly supports the referendum process that 
Oregonians embraced a century ago to adopt laws by a vote of the people.

The governor said he simply thinks all six initiatives represent poor 
public policy.

His strongest objections are aimed at Measure 36, which would amend the 
state constitution to define marriage as union between one man and one woman.

Kulongoski rejects the arguments of Mannix and other backers of Measure 36 
who say the people - not the courts - should be the ones to define marriage 
by way of a constitutional amendment.

"That one is very personal. I think it's the wrong direction for Oregon. I 
think all of our citizens should be entitled to the same rights and 
responsibilities," Kulongoski said. 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake