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Statement on Portland Business Alliance Power Grab
May 24, 2010 In a special interest power grab by lobbyists, big businesses and downtown developers, the Portland Business Alliance (PBA) seeks to kill Voter-Owned Elections and deny Portland voters the right to vote on this important campaign reform. “Voter-Owned Elections is reducing campaign spending and special interest influence,” said Janice Thompson, Executive Director of Common Cause Oregon. “Before Voter-Owned Elections were in place, the PBA and its corporate members made major campaign contributions – much larger than any regular Portland family could afford – to guarantee their access to City Hall. By denying a popular vote PBA can return to those days when big buck donations put pressure on elected officials.” Common Cause Oregon Comment on Citizens United-Reform Still Possible in Oregon and Portland Leads the Way January 21, 2010 The Supreme Court of the United States handed down a decision today that will enhance the ability of the our country’s wealthiest special interests to influence elections. By overturning a ban on independent expenditures by corporate entities, the doors have been opened for unlimited corporate and union spending in elections.
“The Roberts court today made a bad situation worse,” said Common Cause President Bob Edgar. “This decision allows Wall Street to tap its vast corporate profits to drown out the voice of the public in our democracy.”
The Fair Elections Now Act (S.752 and H.R. 1826) was introduced by Senate Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and House Democratic Caucus Chairman John Larson (D-Conn.).
Common Cause Oregon applauds Representatives Earl Blumenauer, Peter DeFazio, and David Wu for signing on as co-sponsors of the Fair Elections Now Act and urges others in Oregon’s Congressional delegation to support this critical legislation. Portland is a national leader, having already adopted public campaign financing. Common Cause Oregon Releases Political History of Russ Walker and FreedomWorks and Updates of Reports on Allies Mannix and Parks Report October 28, 2009
Common Cause Oregon has released a report on FreedomWorks, a national group opposed to health care reform and its Oregon director, Russ Walker. Updates to previous political histories of Walker allies, Kevin Mannix and Loren Parks, are also released. Loren Parks is now Oregon’s $13 million dollar man in terms of political contributions with more support coming from his foundations.
Russ Walker is an increasingly important player in Oregon’s conservative politics, most recently working with partners Ross Day and Kevin Mannix to qualify Measures 66 and 67 to January special election. FreedomWorks’ claims of grassroots activism, however, have been characterized by the press as being “a fig leaf for corporate lobbying.” Loren Parks, either directly or through Parks Medical Electronics, has given $1,1,859,334 to Russ Walker’s political efforts.
Democracy Reform Oregon Releases Money in Oregon Politics Report April 21, 2009 With backing from research findings in an extensive analysis of the role of money in Oregon politics, groups call for legislative passage of HB 3009 on campaign finance reform.
Highlights of 2008 Candidate Fundraising, Release of 2006 Post-Election Donations Analysis that Demonstrates Need for Reform November 3, 2008 Democracy Reform Oregon releases analysis of “hedged bets” and post-election contributions to 2006 legislative candidates that demonstrates that our campaign finance system is broken. Trends in 2008 general election candidate fundraising contribute to the need for 2009 legislative action on campaign finance reform.
Hearing Examiner Makes the Right Call March 21, 2008 Democracy Reform Oregon is pleased to see any candidate, including Sho Dozono, opt into the Voter-Owned Elections program. Many candidates met all of the qualifying requirements and others did not, but all of their efforts are to be applauded.
Portland Campaign Season Begins with Spending Limits and Increased Public Involvement Due to VOE; Administrative Rigor Needed March 5, 2008 Voter-Owned Elections continues to improve city campaigns with a diverse set of candidates who inspired over 10,000 Portlanders to make $5 contributions so they could qualify for public financing. Many non-participating candidates are also agreeing to self-imposed spending and contribution caps that help meet reform goals of reducing special interest influence and bringing the cost of campaigns within reach of more potential candidates.
Political History of Bill Sizemore Now Available Online February 27, 2008 Democracy Reform Oregon releases a 98-page history of Bill Sizemore’s political activities with a detailed compilation of campaign fundraising and election victories and losses as well as media coverage and court documentation of Sizemore’s legal difficulties, business dealings, and impacts on Oregon’s initiative process.
“Compiling a record of Sizemore’s political activities since 1993 seems timely as he re-emerges as a key player in Oregon politics who may qualify as many as six measures to the November 2008 ballot,” said Janice Thompson, executive director of Democracy Reform Oregon. “Recapping dynamics affecting petition circulation in the last 15 years also helps put Sizemore’s activities into perspective.”
Reformers Congratulate Candidates Seeking to Qualify for Voter-Owned Reform January 31, 2008 Democracy Reform Oregon and the League of Women Voters of Portland applaud the grassroots efforts of candidates seeking to qualify in Portland’s Voter-Owned Elections reform program whose qualifying period ends today.
“It is great to see a diverse pool of potential Portland candidates seeking to use the Voter-Owned Elections option,” said Carol Cushman, president of the League of Women Voters of Portland. “Their participation relies on demonstrating broad support from Portlanders. Thousand are now playing a significant role in determining who runs for city offices.”
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