REAL SOLUTIONS, NOT A JAIL-ONLY TAX
Vote against the jail-only tax (Measure 15-190)
The circle to fill in on your ballot to vote “NO” against Jackson County’s jail-only 40% increase in county property taxes (Measure 15-190) may be tucked away on the back of the ballot.
Please be sure to find it and vote “NO”!
(Unless you live in Talent, the only city where a majority of city elected leaders listened to community concerns and voted not to join the taxing district and lock their residents into a jail-only tax if the measure passed county-wide.)
If you have questions about that ballot measure, you can find the Rogue Action Center fact sheet here.
Long before COVID-19, nearly 3/4 of Jackson County residents were opposed to the proposed 40% increase in county property taxes to triple jail capacity (Measure 15-190 on the current ballot).
More than 100 residents spoke against the proposal at local hearings. As County Commissioner Colleen Roberts said, you could count on the fingers of one hand the residents who favor it.
A “NO” vote means we want a cost-effective plan that addresses underlying problems like mental illness, addiction, homelessness, and poverty.
And we want alternatives like prevention, treatment, and crisis assistance like other counties have to divert more people from jail in the first place.
If you would like to help with phone calls to voters about the proposed jail-only tax, please contact Rebecca@RogueActionCenter.org
Join the Real Solutions Field Team!
What else can you do to push for Real Solutions,
Not a Jail-Only Tax?
Make sure to vote NO on Measure 15-190 and turn in your ballot by Tuesday, May 19th at 8:00 PM. Thursday, May 14th is the last day it is safe to mail your ballot, no stamp required. After Thursday you can drop it off at any of these locations:
Find my closest ballot drop box location
What is the ballot measure about? The Jackson County Sheriff and Board of Commissioners are proposing a county-wide service district at a rate of .87/1,000 of assessed property value to fund the construction and operations of a new jail.
The funding cannot be used for any diversion programs to prevent people from ending up in our county jail due to a need for mental health, addictions, or housing services. The current jail has a maximum capacity of 315 beds; the proposed jail facility has a maximum capacity of 896 beds according to the county’s website.
The Jackson County Commissioners voted to put this proposal on the May, 19th 2020 ballot for a county-wide vote (excluding Talent).
If a majority of Jackson County voters say yes, all county homeowners (and many renters) will pay higher housing costs for the expensive jail-only tax even if they, or even the majority of voters in their city, voted against the ballot measure.
Speak Out Against Racist Attacks By Political Candidates
Will you call on all public officials and candidates for any office this year to speak out against racist attacks on Asian Americans or other people of color and to refrain from statements that encourage those attacks?
The number of hate and bias incidents reported to the Oregon Department of Justice has more than tripled compared to the same period last year, according to Oregon Public Broadcasting. Read more on our website.
With your vote and voice, this primary election season will move our whole community forward!
~Team RAC
