Measures 46 & 47

Political campaign spending on state and local offices in Oregon is out of control, since all limits were removed in 1997 by the Oregon Supreme Court. It has become the playground of out-of state millionaires and a cover for out-of-state deep pockets. Spending has increased from $4 million in 1996 to over $50 million in 2006. Oregon is one of only two states in the Union with no limits on campaign contributions. This year, the two candidates for Governor will spend over $10 million on their campaigns. Some races for the Oregon Senate will cost $1 million. The candidate who spends more wins 90% of the time. Most of the money comes from big corporations who outspend labor unions five to one. The big corporations in return get government favors, like corporate tax cuts, utility rate increases, video poker commissions, and exceptions to environmental protection requirements.

Measure 46 is a simple, one sentence change to the Oregon Constitution to allow enactment of limits on campaign contributions in Oregon to pave way for Measure 47 effectiveness. Measure 47 would restore the contribution limits that 72% of Oregonians voted for in 1994 and enact a straightforward and comprehensive system of campaign finance reform that would:

1. Ban corporate and union contributions and independent expenditures for or against candidates;
2. Set reasonable limits on how much individuals can contribute to political campaigns and how much personal money candidates can spend; and
3. Require all "independent ads" to disclose who is funding them, how much they are spending, and what businesses they are engaged in.

Together, these measures would get big money out of Oregon politics and generate greater citizen involvement. These measures would ensure that the voice of small business is heard and the issues critical to small businesses survival in Oregon are being represented in Oregon politics. The measures will assist small businesses in efforts to influence Oregon government to support needed reforms, such as the healthcare reform that would make providing employee healthcare affordable for small employers and improve fiscal stability in government. This would increase the likelihood of improvements in Oregon’s education system, support for the elderly, support for citizens with special needs, training programs, drug-free work force programs and serve to make Oregon more business friendly for small businesses.