[CFR-Announce] Portland City Council to Vote on Public Funding for City Elections on May 11

[Dan Meek]

MIND supports the adoption of public funding for Portland city 
elections.  The system will become more effective with the enactment in 
November 2006 of statewide Initiative Petitions #8 and #37 to establish 
limits on political contributions from individuals and effectively ban 
corporate contributrions.  To get involved in putting those measures on 
the statewide ballot, see http://www.fairelections.net.

Janice Thompson of Money in Politics Research Action Project (MIPRAP) says:

Hi all - Please join us this Wednesday morning, 5/11, at Portland City 
Hall to see the Council make history by enacting Voter Owned Elections. 
This is not a time-certain agenda item, but we anticipate it will come 
up between 10:30 and noon.
 
We want to send the message, both in advance through email alerts and in 
person with cheerful faces on Wednesday morning, to "vote yes for voter 
owned elections without amendments."  Assuming no amendments pop up or 
receive a second, the final vote will be Wednesday and Portland will 
become the first city in the U.S. to adopt full public funding reform.
 
If an amendment does surface, Mayor Potter (who will be flying to DC on 
Wednesday morning) has requested moving that discussion to a future 
meeting when he can be in on the vote. We hope that this step won't be 
necessary, but want to give you all the details available at this time.
 
Please send out this information through your networks and give call 
Janice or Sarah at 503-283-1922 to let us know if you can be a presence 
in City Hall this Wednesday morning. Thanks!
 
 ______________________________________________________________________________________

         

        *Act Now for Voter Owned Elections with No Strings Attached*

         

        *Background*

        The City Council has an historic opportunity to bring Voter
        Owned Elections to Portland.  But amendments that would weaken
        the proposal have been popping up. 

         

        Voter Owned Elections is a sensible and proven reform that is
        changing "business as usual" in Maine and Arizona.  The City
        Council debate on the first reading of the ordinance was great,
        and Council members spoke eloquently about taking decisive
        action to enact Voter Owned Elections.  We applaud their
        political courage.

         

        The first hearing was packed with supporters and postcards from
        another 2000 Portlanders were given to each Council member.  The
        only opponents were business lobbyists obviously afraid of
        losing clout in City Hall.  It is disappointing that
        Commissioner Dan Saltzman has listened to these City Hall
        insiders instead of grassroots activists and has been floating
        damaging amendments.

         

        Voter Owned Elections creates a level playing field and
        encourages a diversity of candidates to run for City Council.  A
        citizens' commission and the Council will continually monitor
        the effectiveness of Voter Owned Elections. 

         

        Urge the City Council to oppose a sunset amendment.  It is
        unnecessary and sends the wrong message that the problem of lack
        of access to City Hall will just go away.  It is the job of
        future Councils to evaluate the law.  Let them do their job.

         

        *The Message*

        Urge all City Commissioners and the Mayor to stand firm and pass
        the ordinance with no strings attached.

         

        "Thank you for your support of Voter Owned Elections.  I urge
        you to take the courageous step of enacting the proposal with no
        amendments and no other strings attached.  Your action will
        reaffirm your commitment to opening City Hall to candidates with
        great ideas, not great bank accounts."

         

        *The Timeline*

        The next hearing on this ordinance is on Wednesday, May 11 in
        the morning.  Use the contact information below to call or
        e-mail city council.  Please join us to cheer on this historic
        vote. 

         

        Commissioner Erik Sten 
        503-823-3589
        erik at ci.portland.or.us <mailto:erik at ci.portland.or.us>


        Commissioner Dan Saltzman
        503-823-4151
        dan at ci.portland.or.us <mailto:dan at ci.portland.or.us>

         

        Commissioner Randy Leonard
        503-823-4682
        randy at ci.portland.or.us <mailto:randy at ci.portland.or.us>

        Commissioner Sam Adams 
        503-823-3008
        commissionersam at ci.portland.or.us
        <mailto:commissionersam at ci.portland.or.us>
         


        Mayor  Tom Potter 
        503-823-4120
        mayorpotter at ci.portland.or.us
        <mailto:mayorpotter at ci.portland.or.us> 

        Auditor Gary Blackmer deserves a big thank you for all his hard
        work. 
        Gary Blackmer
        503-823-4078
        gblackmer at ci.portland.or.us <mailto:%20gblackmer at ci.portland.or.us> 

         

        Need more information?  Check out these talking points
        <http://www.oregonfollowthemoney.org/CampaignReform/Portland/050605TalkingPointshtm.htm>
        on our website.


-- 

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