|
Clean Money Campaign Finance Reform...
After the disappointing defeat of Measure 6 — Clean Money
Campaign Reform — in November, 2000, campaign finance reform advocates
like Oregon Action must redouble our efforts to educate the public about the
corrosive effects of money on public policy. We are encouraged by the City
of Portland's consideration of public financing for city elections.
To that end, Oregon Action will look at the role of campaign
finance on every campaign we work on.
Living Wage:
The Oregon Restaurant Association
and agribuss lobbies are some of the largest campaign contributors in Oregon
and a vociferous opponent of minimum wage and living wages. We will look
at the connections between corporate contributions and legislation supporting
or opposing minimum wage and living wage ordinances and laws.
Food Stamps:
Food stamp recipients are unlikely to give significant campaign contributions.
The neglect of social service programs such as Food Stamps is indicative
of policy makers neglect of constituencies that do not contribute to
their campaigns.
Prescription
Drug Reform:
Pharmaceuticals are among
the nation's largest campaign contributors and have succeeded in
derailing prescription drug reform in the past. We will look at the
link between pharmaceutical contributions and the fate of prescription
drug reform bills in the legislature.
Affordable Housing:
The
Oregon Homebuilders Association won passage of legislation that
prohibits local governments from using "inclusionary
zoning" in new developments. Inclusionary zoning requires inclusion
of a percentage of affordable housing in development plans.
Fair Taxation:
Corporations have won special tax breaks for business
and succeeded in shifting the majority of the tax burden onto individuals.
83% of Oregon corporations pay the minimum corporate income tax, a mere $10.
Raising this tax to $500 would bring in $74 million per biennium.
Oregon Action Research
OA in the News
Cost of the War in Iraq
(JavaScript Error)
Updated
February 25, 2007
| 
