Tough-on-crime measure presents dilemma to GOP

Published 5:00 am Sunday, October 10, 2010

PORTLAND — While Oregonians have a record of voting for anti-crime measures, a Nov. 2 ballot initiative being pushed by a prominent Republican has proven controversial because of the money taxpayers would pay to increase mandatory sentences for repeat offenders convicted of sex crimes and drunken driving.

The campaign for Measure 73, which was organized by former GOP gubernatorial candidate Kevin Mannix, a Salem attorney, has brought two strains of conservative thought into conflict: getting tough on crime and getting tough on government spending.

The state faces a shortfall of close to $1 billion this year and a projected shortfall of $3.2 billion for the next two years, so Measure 73 has proven divisive within Mannix’s own party.

Chris Dudley, the GOP gubernatorial candidate, said in his budget plan that he opposes the Mannix measure because it would cost too much.

But Greg Leo, spokesman for the Oregon GOP, said the group is “generally favorable” to the measure, despite its potential for increased costs.

“One of the first responsibilities of the state is provide for the safety of its citizens,” Leo said.

Also opposing Mannix’s measure are labor unions, civil-rights organizations that oppose mandatory minimum sentences and a prominent organization representing crime victims.

“Incarceration is the most expensive and least effective way to deal with any public safety issue,” said Terrie Quinteros, executive director of the Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence.

Measure 73 would require anyone convicted of a “major felony sex crime” who had previously been convicted of a sex crime to be sentenced to 25 years in prison. That would be a change from the current minimum sentence of 5 years, 10 months.