Pamplin Media Group - Campaign finance reform proposed in Columbia County

In General
Multnomah County judge rules campaign contribution limits constitutional -
The ruling reverses an earlier decision that barred the limits. The county elections division will implement the $500 individual cap on campaign contributions, spending limits and disclosure requirements for candidates moving forward.
Mystery Donor Revealed: Mark Zuckerberg Backed Radical DA Candidates - Capi
In 2018, just outside Portland, Oregon, longtime Washington County District Attorney Bob Hermann announced his retirement. To those in the know, it was obvious that Kevin Barton, a moderate independent and Hermann’s longtime lieutenant, was the best man to fill the spot. Well-liked and with no Republican challengers, Barton was running unopposed. However, hundreds of miles away a “dark money” group with $10 million from Mark Zuckerberg and zero connection to Washington County decided that this was unacceptable. To them, it was obvious that Washington County really needed a high-dollar competitive election with a radical left-wing contender. The people just didn’t know it yet.
Oregon school board politics have never been so polarized, partisan and hos
Academics and board members say it’s unlikely things will change anytime soon.
Mark Zuckerberg cash discreetly leaked into far-left prosecutor races | Fox
Cash from Facebook co-founder Mark Zuckerberg appears to have leaked into prosecutor races as part of his foundation's larger mission to reform the criminal justice system, a review of tax forms show.
Constitutional quirks are Oregon's political potholes | Local&State | bendb
After campaign finance reform fails in Legislature, proponent considers 2nd
As this year’s legislative session was nearing its end, Patrick Starnes, in a meeting with Gov. Kate Brown, said he got news he didn’t want to hear: Lawmakers wouldn’t be passing bills to reform the state’s campaign finance system.
Money in Oregon politics as unchecked as ever – Medford News, Weather, Spor
The strongest belief that pulled me back into politics three years ago is this: we won’t make much headway solving Oregon’s core problems until we dramatically reduce the power of big money in Salem. ...
Readers respond: Lawmakers ignore the voters’ will - oregonlive.com
Letter to the editor
Oregon lawmakers conclude 2021 session in a crush of bills - OPB
The 2021 session was supposed to be focused responding to wildfires and COVID-19, but lawmakers accomplished a great deal more in a tumultuous -- and historic -- five months.
Guest View: Standing up against the Oregon special interests
Kate Titus and Eric Richardson call on Oregon legislators to stand up against Oregon special interests.
Editorial: Legislature’s inaction makes the case for two voter initiatives
Oregonians who want credible campaign contribution limits and an independent commission to redraw legislative and congressional boundaries should organize behind initiative petitions that will accomplish what legislators refuse to do, the editorial board writes.
Politicians running for Oregon Legislature could reap huge taxpayer funding
Oregon lawmakers are considering creating a public match program for state legislative candidates, similar to the system in Portland. It's the one possible win still available to advocates of campaign finance reform in the final weeks of the legislative session.
Oregon lawmakers increasingly unlikely to take up campaign finance - OPB
Bills to limit political contributions always faced an uphill battle in 2021. Now, a less contentious proposal to publicly finance campaigns faces skepticism in the Senate.
Oregon lawmakers tackle campaign finance limits after election
Oregon voters in November cleared the way for the state to impose campaign finance limits. Now the Legislature needs a plan.
Other views: Restoring faith in Legislature requires rooting out conflicts
Oregon campaign finance reforms catch criticism from activists | National N
Oregon Senate Passes Bill Banning Politicians From Accepting More Than $100 a Year in Cash From One Donor
Shemia Fagan spent taxpayer or donor money on hotel pet fees, airfare for her kids
This is a note.
Whatchamacolumn: System tries to ID political influencers
Campaign finance databases reveal much about cultural values, political influence and interesting trends. We found that, and more, in a recent News-Register investigation ...
Complaint from progressive group alleges PAC for Republican senators isn't reporting campaign contributions in time – Oregon Capital Chronicle
Our Oregon alleges that a committee to pay costs for Republican state senators participating in a walkout broke state campaign finance rules.
Two Oregon senators seek federal investigation into campaign contributions – Oregon Capital Chronicle
Two state senators want Oregon U.S. Attorney Natalie Wight’s office to investigate cash donations from cannabis company to state politicians.
Oregon lawmakers may consider boosting elected officials’ pay, passing ethic reforms in wake of Shemia Fagan’s resignation
Oregon lawmakers are mulling whether to boost pay for statewide officeholders and pass ethics reforms following the resignation of former Secretary of State Shemia Fagan, who stepped down after news that she had taken a $10,000 a month side job with a troubled cannabis company.
La Mota Founders’ Campaign Contributions to Kotek and Others: Stacks of Cash
Are Oregon Dems Getting Money Out of Politics or Giving Themselves an Edge? - WhoWhatWhy
Oregon Democrats promised to reform the state’s campaign finance laws. But their fix tilts the playing field in their favor, says a Democratic lawmaker.
Nike co-founder Phil Knight contributes $2 million more to help elect Republicans to Oregon Legislature
Knight made the donation April 4 to the Bring Balance to Salem PAC
How scarce bourbon funneled money to rural Oregon Republican committee
Political fundraisers now entangled in broad criminal investigation of diverted liquor.
Campaign finance limits could come up short in Oregon Legislature — again
With two months left in the legislative session, the issue of capping political contributions has received little attention and lawmakers are hedging on whether a proposal can pass.
Oregon Democrats weigh competing proposals to cap political donations
New proposals introduced in the state Senate last week would set strict limits to quell the exorbitant spending in Oregon elections — without the same loopholes included in other bills introduced by top Democrats this session.
The Power Couple of Oregon Cannabis Bankrolled Top Democrats Even as Their Companies’ Taxes and Bills Went Unpaid