[CFR-Announce] Check Out Erik Sten's Plan for "Voter-Owned" Portland City Elections

Dan Meek dan at meek.net
Wed Oct 20 15:23:18 EDT 2004


The purpose of Money is Not Democracy (MIND) is to enact campaign 
finance reform in Oregon that includes prohibiting corporate campaign 
contributions and limiting contributions from individuals to a 
reasonable amount ($100 per person per election for non-statewide races, 
for example).  *Because of a 1997 decision by the Oregon Supreme Court, 
this can be done only by amending the Oregon Constitution.*  We are 
currently in the process of getting approval for signature sheets for 
such a measure in the 2006 initiative cycle.

In the meantime, one of MIND's supporters, Portland City Commissioner 
Erik Sten, is pursuing at the city level a system of public funding for 
citywide elections.  This is a good idea.  It would work better, if it 
were combined with limits on campaign contributions.  Without limits on 
campaign contributions by corporations and wealthy individuals, it is 
possible that the amounts of public funding his system would provide 
would be overwhelmed by large private contributions by a few developers 
or others. 

*But there is nothing that the City of Portland can do to limit campaign 
contributions, until we all amend the Oregon Constitution (as explained 
above).*  We need to do this on the state level.  If the City of 
Portland adopts the "voter-owned" election plan, then amending the 
Oregon Constitution to allow limits on campaign contributions will 
enable the City to make its plan more effective.

Below is a description of Erik's plan by MIPRAP.  Sending letters or 
emails to city officials (and candidates) will help Erik's plan.  If you 
do send email, please shoot us a BCC at mind at oreg.net.

More info is at:
http://www.oregonfollowthemoney.org/CampaignReform/Portland/portlandoverview.htm


Dan Meek
*Attorney*
10949 S.W. 4th Ave
Portland, OR 97219
503-293-9021 phone
503-293-9099 fax
dan at meek.net



*/Voter Owned Elections - More Choices & New Voices for Portland/*
Clean Money Campaign Finance Reform
  *
Why?*

Clean money reform is a new system that rejuvenates democracy by 
bringing more choices and different voices to Portland politics. Voter 
owned elections puts people back into politics and city council decisions.

    * Voters gain more choices as candidates can run for office based on
      leadership skills and community support rather than fundraising
      ability.
    * Voters are the focus of campaigns - not contributors and fundraising.
    * Primary considerations in city council decisions shifts to
      community and constituent interests. Currently, voter trust is
      clouded by concerns that policy decisions benefit special
      interests more than public interests.

Portland politics are out of balance.

    * Since 1970, the highest spending candidate for city office has won
      88 percent of the time.
    * 56 percent of campaign contributions to City Council winners come
      from only 10 of Portland's 43 zip codes.
    * Only 5 percent of contributions came in small donations of $50 or
      less.**

  *
What is a voter owned election system?*

Voter owned elections is a comprehensive system that provides candidates 
a voluntary option for a new way to run for office without big money, 
special interest contributions. Candidates agree to:

    * Collect a large number of $5 qualifying contributions to
      demonstrate community support.
    * Reject private money contributions.
    * Limit campaign spending.
    * Agree to comply with strict administrative guidelines.

In return, participating candidates receive limited amounts of campaign 
dollars from a publicly financed fund. /Even more important - 
Portlanders will have voter owned elections./

  *
What has the City Council been doing on this issue?*

City Auditor Gary Blackmer and Commissioner Erik Sten have been 
exploring this issue since late 2002. At an April 2004 hearing there was 
a critical Council vote for the Auditor to develop a report and a draft 
clean money reform ordinance. These were discussed at a Council work 
session in August. City Council adoption of a reform ordinance has to 
occur early in 2005 for voter owned elections to be in place for 2006 
campaigns. So... /NOW/ is the time to get voter owned election reform 
"on the radar screen" and urge support by current City Council members 
and Council candidates.

 
*We need you to help spread the word!*

    * Send letters to City Commissioners, Mayor, and Auditor urging
      their support.
    * Send letters to Mayoral and City Council candidates urging their
      support.
    * Attend campaign forums and community events and ask candidates
      their position on voter owned elections. (Call us to find out
      about forum opportunities.)
    * Write letters to the editor.

 
*Talking points*

    * Voter owned elections are fair because participating candidates
      get the same amount of money and city elections will be decided on
      the basis of the best vision for Portland, not the best fundraiser.
    * Clean money reform opens up the political process and gives voters
      more choice as candidates can run based on community support.
    * Voters benefit as campaigns shift from a focus on fundraising to
      an emphasis on community events and talking with voters.
    * The cost of $2.45 per Portland resident is a tiny price to pay to
      remove even the perception that contributor interests win in City
      Hall over community and constituent concerns.
    * Our City Council should take the lead to enact voter owned
      elections - it fits with Portland's role as a pioneering city.

 
*Contact information*
<>Gary Blackmer
City Auditor
<>1221 SW 4th Ave, rm. 140
Portland, OR 97204
<>503-823-4078

gblackmer at ci.portland.or.us 	<>Vera Katz
Mayor <>1221 SW 4th Ave, rm. 340
Portland, OR  97204 <>503-823-4120

mayorkatz at ci.portland.or.us 	<>Jim Francesconi
City Commissioner & Mayor Candidate
<>1221 SW 4th Ave, rm. 220
Portland, OR  97204
503- 823-3008

jim.francesconi at ci.portland.or.us <mailto:jim.francesconi at ci.portland.or.us>

<>Randy Leonard -City Commissioner
1221 SW 4th Ave, rm. 210
<>Portland, OR  97204
503-823-4682

randy at ci.portland.or.us 	<>Dan Saltzman - City Commissioner
1221 SW 4th Ave, rm. 230
<>Portland, OR 97204
503-823-4151

dan at ci.portland.or.us <mailto:dan at ci.portland.or.us>

	

Erik Sten - City Commissioner
1221 SW 4th Ave, rm. 240
Portland, OR 97204
503-823-3589


**erik at ci.portland.or.us* <mailto:erik at ci.portland.or.us>*

<>Tom Potter - Mayor Candidate
825 SE Hawthorne
<>Portland, OR 97214
503-233-7365

info at tomformayor.org

	<>Sam Adams - City Council Candidate
825 NE 20^th Avenue, #150
Portland, OR  97232
 503-236-2082

Sam at samforpdx.com <mailto:Sam at samforpdx.com>

	

Nick Fish - City Council Candidate
3711 NE Sandy Blvd.
Portland, OR 97232
503-460-3474
info at gofish2004.com <mailto:info at gofish2004.com>



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