Oregon Needs to Limit Campaign Contributions

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Saturday, March 21, 2015

Guest MINDSETTERS™ Floyd Prozanski and Lee Beyer

The costs of political campaigns are skyrocketing, blocking out the voices of everyday Oregonians. That is why we believe the Legislature needs to pass campaign finance reform.

Oregon is one of only six states that has no contribution limits whatsoever for candidate campaigns. The lack of contribution limits gives far more power and influence to those who can write massive campaign checks— businesses and wealthy individuals who don’t necessarily represent the needs of Oregon’s working families.

We have had many conversations with Oregonians of all backgrounds about money in politics. And we hear and understand that average Oregonians feel that their voices in our democracy are being drowned out by big money. As legislators, we have long worked to represent the needs of everyone in our districts, but we also recognize the need to make it easier for grassroots voices to be heard in the campaign process — by enacting contribution limits on candidate campaigns.

That is why Gov. Kate Brown, when she was secretary of state, supported the introduction of Senate Joint Resolution 5 in this legislative session. SJR 5 is a constitutional amendment that would authorize citizens and the Legislature to establish campaign contribution limits for Oregon. If we can pass it this legislative session, it would then be referred to the voters for their consideration in the November 2016 general election. We need the voters to pass this constitutional amendment and limit big money in politics.

The absence of contribution limits has been a significant problem in Oregon. Our races are more expensive than those in other states. In 2014, Oregon’s campaigns for state offices cost more than campaigns in Missouri, Minnesota, North Carolina and Washington state. Contribution limits will help reduce the costs of campaigns, and reduce the ability of wealthy individuals and organizations to dominate the conversation.

In 2014, 73 percent of the money that the two major-party candidates for governor raised came from just 6 percent of their donors. Allowing unlimited contributions ensures that the wealthiest donors have a louder voice than the rest of the population. This is unfair and undemocratic. It needs to stop.

The cost associated with Oregon’s elections has made many citizens and community leaders feel as though they are priced out of running for office. Individuals with great ideas, a passion for good public policy and a love for their community — in other words, people who would make great elected leaders — too often feel it’s pointless to run for office if they don’t have access to deep-pocketed donors. How many great grassroots candidates have we not heard from because the high costs of campaigning dissuaded them from running?

Passing SJR 5 is one of the best ways to ensure that our citizen-based Legislature remains responsive to all people, regardless of income or background.

If you agree, we need you to contact your legislators and urge them to pass SJR 5, so voters can amend the state Constitution to allow reasonable limits on political contributions. Now is the time for voters to stand up and demand cleaner elections. Together, we can level the playing field, take the big money out of politics, and ensure that all Oregonians’ voices can be heard. SJR 5 is a bill that we can support today. We need your help to make it a reality for tomorrow.

Floyd Prozanski, D-Eugene, and Lee Beyer, D-Springfield, serve in the Oregon Senate. This letter was also written by State Sen. Chris Edwards, D-Eugene, and State Reps. Phil Barnhart, D-Eugene, John Lively, D-Springfield, Paul Holvey, D-Eugene and Nancy Nathanson, D-Eugene.

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