The Controversy Over Oregon's Gravity

Rich Rodgers

Since January, when the business lobby group Oregonians Against Weight-Gaining Gravity spent $15 million in a failed attempt to protect Oregonians from the effects of increased gravity brought about by passage of Measures 66 & 67, dozens of long-time Oregonians have left the state. "I just can't take any more of this weight gain," said Bend resident Jody McFuller. "I'm going to Ohio."

McFuller didn't disclose how much she weighs, citing confidentiality reasons, but she said that the effects of increased gravity in Oregon just make living here impossible. "My friends are really upset about it. They can't understand why I would leave. I told them I have no choice."

McFuller is not alone. An estimated 20,000 Oregonians have moved out of state since passage of Measures 66 & 67. While 25,000 new people have moved to the state during this period, Oregon would have more residents if it wasn't for its more powerful force of gravity, says retired bank economist William Featherly. "There is a strong feeling among national opinion leaders that Oregon's gravity is simply too powerful," said Featherly. "People vote with their feet."

The public employee union-funded Our Oregon insists that Measures 66 & 67 did nothing to increase the force of gravity in Oregon compared to other states. Still, try telling that to Jody McFuller.

"I would love to stay in Oregon," says McFuller, "but they've just made me too heavy."

By Rich Rodgers Aug. 05, 2010