Battle over campaign financing begins

Portland elections - Foes of using public cash turn in signatures to get a repeal on the May ballot

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

ANNA GRIFFIN

The Oregonian

The battle over Portland's political future became official Tuesday as organizers of the effort to kill public campaign financing delivered the signatures needed to put the issue on the May ballot.

In the process, they made it clear they plan to link the issue to the city's school budget problems.

The First Things First committee handed in 40,988 signatures in favor of repealing the nation's most comprehensive public financing system. That's 14,297 more than they need to get the initiative before voters on May 16.

The city elections officer has 30 days to certify the signatures, but their delivery marked the beginning of the campaign.

As they smiled for a lone TV camera, repeal organizers offered one of their central messages: Why are city leaders so eager to spend taxpayer money on political campaigns when they're struggling to find money for basic services such as parks, public safety and schools?

The Portland City Council doesn't pay for public education. But Mayor Tom Potter and a coalition of education leaders have been meeting behind closed doors for weeks trying to figure out a way to replace the Multnomah County I-tax. The tax, which expires this year, provides $57 million a year toward Portland Public Schools' $400 million annual budget.

The most likely solution seems to be a city-only income tax, which voters could consider in May -- the same time they decide whether to keep public financing.

State elections officials are investigating complaints that signature gatherers working for the repeal misled people by telling them that public financing would take money directly from the schools. Repeal organizers said the signature gatherers mistakenly deviated from their approved sales pitch.

Still, they say there is a connection between how the city chooses to use its money and Potter's quest for education money.

"The timing doesn't help the other side make their case," said Karen Whitman, a repeal supporter and member of the Portland Schools Foundation's board of directors.

"The city doesn't technically pay for education, but the schools are in trouble, and this mayor is trying to find a solution," she said. "Taxpayer financing seems to me to be out of step with that sentiment."

Supporters say the estimated $1 million annual cost -- which will come from administrative overhead across city government -- will have no impact on other city services or the effort to find more cash for classrooms.

"The schools argument is just not legitimate," said Carol Cushman, president of Portland's League of Women Voters. "The funding that is needed for this is really very small potatoes when you look at the amount needed in other areas."

Designed to offset the influence of big money in politics, the city's public financing program aims to give candidates who qualify -- and agree to limit their spending -- all the money they'll need. Candidates for City Council must collect $5 contributions from 1,000 Portlanders to receive $150,000 in the May primary.

So far, one person has qualified, neighborhood activist Amanda Fritz. She's challenging City Commissioner Dan Saltzman, who is not taking public money. Commissioner Erik Sten, one of the architects of public financing, is among seven other candidates trying to qualify.

Anna Griffin: 503-294-5988; annagriffin@news.oregonian.com