Campaign Finance Reform - in Oregon

Oregon voters could weigh in on political contribution limits and disclosure mandates in 2022, if campaign finance reformers succeed in getting an initiative on the ballot.

Following months of negotiations, labor unions and advocacy groups did not sign onto a plan for creating new campaign regulations.

A coalition of campaign-finance-reform-minded groups have filed three ballot initiatives with the secretary of state’s office that they want to put before Oregon voters next year. Honest Elections Oregon says its initiatives will help reduce the “perception and reality of corruption” in campaigns, increase transparency and elevate more voices in elections.

The state’s election watchdog has the power to issue subpoenas, but doesn't use it. It doesn't send investigators -- it just sends letters.

Top Democrats’ campaign finance proposals could protect the ability of membership organizations such as labor unions and business associations to continue pouring millions of dollars into candidates’ campaigns. They would also allow corporations and unions to continue giving directly to candidates.

State attorneys produced objections, but no documents, by the June 21 deadline for five federal grand jury subpoenas requesting state documents relating to La Mota and Shemia Fagan.

The owners of the marijuana business that hired Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan to do consulting work made significant campaign contributions to the secretary – and other Democratic candidat…

Congresswoman Val Hoyle's campaign reported it received seven separate donations from the cash-friendly owners of La Mota on the same day in 2022. If made in cash, that's a problem for Hoyle.

Federal prosecutors are seeking a wide range of records related to former Secretary of State Shemia Fagan and her marijuana moonlighting.

The Oregonian/OregonLive found tens of thousands in unexplained spending by the former secretary of state.

Subpoenas show the U.S. Attorney's Office has demanded a wide range of documents from the state involving Fagan and the owners of the La Mota dispensary chain.

Federal authorities are seeking records related to Fagan from across multiple state agencies, according to a source.

Shemia Fagan was supposed to be the next Democratic star in Oregon politics, but now she's about to be out of office due to a spectacularly fast-moving scandal in Salem. Reporters Lauren Dake and Dirk VanderHart talk about Fagan's rise to prominence and sudden resignation as Secretary of State.

“Great feedback!” Secretary of State Shemia Fagan emailed Rosa Cazares. “Thanks Rosa.”

Fagan logged five out-of-state trips in the last six months. When in Oregon, she typically logged out of work by 2:30 p.m., the calendars suggest.

Imagine you are Oregon’s Secretary of State Shemia Fagan. A campaign donor in the pot industry offers you a job moonlighting to help them with business opportunities.

Shemia Fagan didn't make just one mistake in her dealings with La Mota cannabis chain owners Rosa Cazares and Aaron Mitchell, the editorial board writes. Her acknowledged "poor judgment" occurred repeatedly and reflects her prioritizing self interest over Oregon's. She must resign.

Treasurer Tobias Read believes he could be a good fit, and former Senate President Peter Courtney says he'll fill in if asked. Informal conversations with Democratic politicos Tuesday turned up a wide range of names, including a trio of current or former Multnomah County officials: Jessica Vega Pederson, Deborah Kafoury and Susheela Jayapal.

Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan resigned her post as secretary of state just five days after a story in Willamette Week touched off an avalanche of reporting about her work as a consultant for an embattled cannabis company. It was an unlikely end for a politician who was considered a rising star and a potential future governor or U.S. senator.

Oregon's Constitution gives the governor complete discretion in selecting the appointee.

Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan has resigned effective May 8, a major turn in a moonlighting scandal that broke out just last week.

Secretary of State Shemia Fagan resigned on Tuesday, a day after she apologized for accepting a moonlighting job for a cannabis company.

Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan resigned her position after revelations that she was working as a consultant for a cannabis company while her office was auditing the industry.

Fagan notified her staff on Tuesday that she is resigning.