Voters Reject Measure 86, College Fund

Tuesday, November 04, 2014

Taya Alami, GoLocalPDX Reporter

Voters rejected measure that would have designate a public fund for Oregonians pursuing post secondary education and allow the state to finance the fund with debt, according to the Oregon Secretary of State.

The measure, which was proposed in the state legislature by Treasurer Ted Wheeler, would have amended the state constitution.

The measure is also known as the “Oregon Opportunity Initiative-“ a take off on the Oregon Opportunity Grant - a needs-based fund that disburses financial aid to students who come from low-income families.

Proponents of the measure said the college fund was a necessity. Oregon ranks 47 in excessive public spending for post secondary education. Student debt eclipsed $1.2 trillion nationally in last year. The figure is calculatedy to only include student loans and their interest, not other forms of debt students acquire - like from credit cards or personal loans.