School and arts measures pass
Charlie Hales
The election is over and the results are in. While 52 percent of Oregon voters helped elect Barack Obama as the next president of the United States over Republican Mitt Romney, local residents also cast their votes in city elections and state and local ballot issues.
In Portland, Charlie Hales took victory over Jefferson Smith as the next mayor of Portland. Mayor Sam Adams did not seek re-election.
Portlanders also voted Amanda Fritz to a second term as city commissioner. Measures passed included a Multnomah County Library Tax District, the Portland Public Schools’ $482 million school improvement bond, as well as the Arts and Music Tax to restore arts in Portland area schools.
In statewide ballot measures, all but two citizens’ initiatives passed.
Voters said no on measures related to casinos, estate taxes, marijuana, and gill netting, while voters approved proposals to divert corporate “kicker” tax refunds to public schools and ban real estate sales transaction fees.
In statewide political races, Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown was re-elected in a close contest. Ted Wheeler was retained as State Treasurer, as was Ellen Rosenblum as Attorney General. Brad Avakian was re-elected state Bureau of Labor and Industries commissioner.
