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--> --> Campaign finance reform sparks terse exchange By Jessica Bujol Associated Press Writer SALEM - It's a parliamentary technique that rarely works, but that didn't stop Rep. Mark Hass from trying to pluck a campaign finance reform bill from committee to bring it directly to the House floor Wednesday. It didn't work. The Beaverton Democrat's motion failed by a 28-32 vote, so HJR20, will stay put - in the House Rules committee where Hass says Republicans are deliberately burying the measure. The joint resolution would propose a Constitutional amendment allowing voters to set limits on campaign contributions. Previous limits on campaign contributions were declared unconstitutional in 1997 by the Oregon Supreme Court, which held that setting restrictions on contributions was a violation of free speech. Campaign spending has skyrocketed since then, with candidates receiving and spending a record $12 million in last year's legislative races. The proposed ballot measure, which would be placed before voters in the May 15 election, would rewrite the state constitution to make it clear that limiting campaign contributions wouldn't violate free speech protections. Hass said Republican leaders have given him the run-around, directing him to different leaders who then direct him elsewhere. "In the real world, that's called `getting jerked around,' " he said. Hass said the reluctance to deal with the issue proved his point. "If money doesn't influence this process, then I ask you, why can't we move this bill?" he said. But Republicans argued they just needed time to work on amendments. "We're trying to let the process work here," said Rep. Rob Patridge, R-Medford. Hass, clearly frustrated, provoked a terse exchange on the House floor after questioning the motives of his Republican colleagues. "No one in leadership wants to talk about dirty campaign money and that may well be how you get to leadership positions," he said, prompting a collective groan from the Republican side of the chamber. House Majority Leader Karen Minnis immediately rose from her seat to protest Hass' comments. "I believe my motives for leadership have been impugned and I take great exception to that," the Wood Village Republican responded. House Speaker Mark Simmons of Elgin later said he was also offended. "Implying that there's something unseemly going on in politics in Oregon is over the top," he said. Hass later apologized for his innuendo that Republican leaders had been unduly influenced by campaign dollars. "If they're true to their word, they will amend this and have it out next week," he said. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing