Oregon ? Oregon voters approved two measures raising taxes on businesses and the wealthy Tuesday, averting budget cuts legislators said would have meant larger classes in the schools and less help for the poor and the elderly.

Both Measure 66, which raises rates on people earning well above six figures, and Measure 67, which increases business taxes, had 54 percent approval. More than 80 percent of the vote had been counted.

It was a victory for public employee unions and the Democratic majorities in the Legislature that imposed the taxes last year, arguing that deep cuts in school aid and social services were the alternative.

It was a defeat for business groups who sponsored an effort to put the taxes to a statewide vote, saying they would cost a state with 11 percent unemployment even more jobs.