Oregon voters passed the twin tax measures in the Jan. 26 election, though Wallowa County turned thumbs down on Measures 66 and 67. Both measures give voter approval to tax hikes passed by the Oregon legislature last year to balance the state budget.

Measure 66, which raises the income tax on households with an income of $250,000 and higher, passed statewide by a 53.69 to 46.31 percent margin, with 657,497 “yes” and 567,233 “no” votes.

Wallowa County, in line with most non-metropolitan counties in the state, voted against the measure by 58.88 to 41.12 percent, with 1,877 voters opposed to the measure compared to 1,311 in favor.

Measure 67, which raises the minimum business tax and the tax rate on business profits over 250,000, was slightly less popular state-wide. It still passed by 53.01 to 46.97 percent; with 648,203 voters for and 574,087 against.

Wallowa County’s vote on Measure 67 was 1,971 against (61.9 percent) and 1,213 (38.10 percent) for.

Oregon reported a 59.18 percent voter turnout.

Wallowa County’s turnout was 66.5 percent.

The unofficial election results for all Oregon counties are available on the Oregon Secretary of State’s website (www.sos.state.or.us/elections).

Those who rely on state funds to balance their budgets, such as school districts, are probably most happy about the results of the election.

“I’m breathing a sigh of relief that I don’t have to cut $250,000 out of our budget,” said Enterprise school superintendent Brad Royse. “I told my school board we’d have to be ready for a difficult discussion, but to wait to see what happened at the election … It would have been devastating, especially on top of cuts we’ve already had to make. “

Wallowa school superintendent Bob Sisk said the passage of the measures meant $148,000 to his district and two teacher positions. “Honest to God, I don’t know where we would have cut,” he said.

However, because of bleak revenue forecasts at state meetings he attended last week, Sisk said, “I feel like we dodged one bullet … but they are still shooting five at us.”