Saturday, January 03, 2004
Oregon Panel to Study Disclosure but Ignore Stronger Reforms?
Four former secretaries of state will head up a panel to investigate ways to improve disclosure and reporting of campaign contributions in Oregon. This is fine, as far as it goes, because Oregon has one of the least workable systems of disclosure in the country. Details can be found here in the Salem Statesman Journal.
But, setting up a committee to study something isn't the same thing as doing something about it. Meanwhile, some Oregon citizens are taking matters into their own hands by filing Initiative 53. It would both improve disclosure in Oregon and set limits on the size of campaign contributions. Oregon is one of a handful of states that has absolutely no limits on contributions whatsoever. So, if the former politicians want to really do something, they should look further than just disclosure rules.
(0) comments
Four former secretaries of state will head up a panel to investigate ways to improve disclosure and reporting of campaign contributions in Oregon. This is fine, as far as it goes, because Oregon has one of the least workable systems of disclosure in the country. Details can be found here in the Salem Statesman Journal.
But, setting up a committee to study something isn't the same thing as doing something about it. Meanwhile, some Oregon citizens are taking matters into their own hands by filing Initiative 53. It would both improve disclosure in Oregon and set limits on the size of campaign contributions. Oregon is one of a handful of states that has absolutely no limits on contributions whatsoever. So, if the former politicians want to really do something, they should look further than just disclosure rules.
