FairElections Oregon

The Committee on Rules of the Oregon House of Representatives on April 17, 2009, conducted a short hearing on HB 3009, a bill to establish some limits on political campaign contributions in Oregon candidate races.

Dan Meek, representing FairElections Oregon, testified against the bill, noting that it would repeal the much stronger limits adopted by Oregon voters in Measure 47 (2006). He also filed charts (attached) illustrating the differences among the the "current system," the Measure 47 system, and the proposed HB 3009 system. He filed written testimony (attached) demonstrating that HB 3009 would be completely ineffective.

"HB 3009 is the kind of campaign finance reform legislatures pass, when they really do not want campaign finance reform," said Meek.

Meek also sent this letter to The Oregonian in response to an article about the hearing:

Dear Editor:

Your article about HB 3009, a bill to limit political campaign contributions in Oregon candidate races, failed to mention that the Measure 47 limits that Oregon voters in 2006 already adopted are far more stringent than those contained ion HB 3009. Nor does it note that the Secretary of State and Attorney General are refusing to enforce the Measure 47 limits, even though no court has held any of it to be unconstitutional. The Measure 47 chief petitioners are suing these government officers to require enforcement.

More information is available at www.fairelections.net/now.