January 1998
Election '97 Ballot Measures
Oregon: LP misses in anti-Measure 52 effort
Oregon Libertarians lost big in their effort to stop a school-funding proposal, but said their campaign was an effective platform "to promote the Libertarian Party and alternatives to government schools."
Ballot Measure 52, an initiative to divert $150 million in state lottery revenue to government schools, won 73% of the vote on November 4th.
But Richard Burke, chair of the Mainstream Liberty Caucus, said their anti-Measure 52 campaign earned the party valuable publicity and credibility.
"As the only organized opposition to Ballot Measure 52, we were sought for comment by news organizations all around Oregon," he said. "We participated in three broadcast debates, and had dozens of contacts. I hope that any future 'defeats' are as productive as this one was."
Libertarians opposed the measure, in part, because the legislature had rejected proposals to save money by giving parents more control over their children's education, said Burke.
