Estacada Voters Pass Tax, Fee Vote Requirement

11/4/2009, Estacada, OR - The work of AFP-Oregon volunteers and staff led to another taxpayer victory in the Clackamas County community of Estacada last night. Measure 3-346, which will require a vote on all proposed tax and fee increases over 3 percent per year, or any new tax or fee, was approved by a comfortable 56-44 margin. ∴ AFP-Oregon volunteers - led by Dora Morgan - collected signatures to place the measure on the ballot. Local volunteer Steve Locke spearheaded the on-the-ground campaign effort. ∴ "The voters of Estacada have spoken," said AFP-Oregon State Director Jeff Kropf, "and have declared they want to reclaim control of their wallets. In these difficult economic times, governments across Oregon should be searching for ways to reduce the burden they impose on citizens. The City will now have to work collaboratively with voters to determine what programs are worth funding, and what sources of revenue make sense. It's a new era of fiscal responsibility and discipline in Estacada. I can't thank our AFP-Oregon volunteers enough for the tremendous effort they made."

AFP-Oregon has assisted in passing similar measures in Damascus and Cascade Locks, and several Oregon communities are considering the measure in light of local efforts to raise taxes, fees and charges beyond what taxpayers can afford.

AFP-Oregon has 17,000 members in Oregon organized into 30 local Chapters with local leadership which hold regular meetings. AFP-Oregon provides training and motivation to volunteers to go out and work for limited government and economic freedom.

Matt Evans, AFP-Oregon