SCHIP WRECK

The Wall Street Journal has a post on the editorial page of today's edition talking about what Oregon voters did on Tuesday. Governor Ted Kulongoski and the State Legislature in Oregon wanted to broaden eligibility for Oregon's Healthy Kids Schip program to 300% of the federal poverty level. They would also allow all families to opt in, regardless of income. They intended to pay for it by expanding cigarette taxes. Democrats in the Legislature couldn't get the three-fifths approval required for a tax increase in the legislature, so they put the issue on the ballot. Well, the voters in Oregon resoundingly voted no. That should send a message to the Democrats in Washington, don't you think.