Students Will Shout ‘Facts Out Loud’ on Referendum Vote

Friday, November 13, 2009

The outcome of January’s special election on proposed tax increases will directly affect students at Clackamas Community College, says Alyssa Fava, president of the Associated Student Government (ASG). She’s working with the student leadership team to bring the facts about the potential effects of the referendums on the ballot for the January 26 special election to the campus.

“Facts Out Loud” on Monday, Nov. 23, is the first of two informational events the ASG will host in November around the ballot measures. Students will be strategically located around campus to literally shout out the facts around the ballot measures. Fava and organizer Quyen Thoi are working closely with the college administration to identify the potential effects of the measures on students including possible tuition increases, and reductions in course offerings, programs and staff positions.

About 20 students are expected to participate in “Facts Out Loud,” most from the college’s Speech Department.
On Tuesday, Nov. 24, ASG will host a debate about the ballot measures from noon to 2 p.m. in the quad outside the college’s Community Center. Two more events are planned for January.

Along with reducing the state budget, the 2009 Oregon Legislature passed two bills last June that increased some corporate and personal income taxes. The bills are expected to raise $733 million in revenue to prevent further cuts to schools, healthcare and public safety. Measures 66 and 67 refer these bills passed by the state Legislature to the voters for approval.

“This is especially important because it hits home for us,” said Fava. “We want to let our students know they will be directly affected.”

For more information, contact Mindy Brown at 503-657-6958, ext. 2250.