Money in Politics Research Action Project
917 SW Oak St. #422, Portland, OR  97205  (503) 283-1922  Fax (503) 283-1877 miprap@oregonfollowthemoney.org

The Southwest Community Connection

November 2005

Think before you ink

Initiative petitions are now circulating to try to repeal Portland’s Voter-Owned Elections system even before it can be tried.  Don’t sign them.

These petitions are brought to you by the same business people who have dominated Portland campaign financing for decades.  They have also reaped a disproportionate financial benefit from the city by the influence and access that they have bought.  An example can be seen in the multi-million dollar tax abatements that the city has granted them for downtown developments.  Just one of these tax abatements would pay for the entire Voter-Owned Elections system.

These business people will still have influence in the city because of who they are and what they can accomplish with their money.  But under Voter-Owned Elections, their influence over city election campaigns will now be the same an you or I: One vote.

Norman Turrill
Southwest Hills