Polling Shows Oregonians Have Changed Their Minds on Measure 57

Last November, Oregon voters overwhelmingly passed Measure 57, which increased sentences for drug trafficking, crimes against the elderly and identity theft, and required increased access to addiction treatment. Measure 57 passed because Oregonians wanted to see a stronger investment in addiction treatment and programs that address the root causes of property crime. Now, however, the state is facing a budget deficit of between $3 and $5 billion and the legislature is debating the possibility of making $100 million of cuts to community-based addiction treatment and mental health services. At no other time during the past fifteen years does the cost of prison spending seem more worth examining than now.

PSJ has been working with an Oregon-based pollster to explore how Oregon voters think about the proposals to delay or modify Measure 57 as one of the options that is most viable. The poll results show that despite voting for Measure 57, Oregonians recognize there are better ways to spend the money it would cost to implement Measure 57.

Good public safety policy demands supporting safe and sensible sentencing reform as a way to generate savings and protect treatment dollars.

Click here to see the March polling results.