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FROM THE COUNCIL From the Council: Campaign finance laws resistant to reform Comment By Michael Zarosinski MailTribune.com By Michael Zarosinski Posted Mar. 6, 2016 at 12:01 AM By Michael Zarosinski Posted Mar. 6, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News Recently I have received a fair amount of correspondence regarding campaign finance, with concerns ranging from national elections to local contracts. Maybe this happens to every elected official during every election cycle, but I have obtained enough comments on the topic that I think it is worth reviewing how our current system works and what attempts have been made to reform it. Oregon has a campaign finance system focused on transparency rather than limits. Our history on this issue reveals a disconnect between what the voters want and what our Constitution demands when it comes to that method of campaign finance. Three times the voters in the state of Oregon have voted in favor of initiatives to limit campaign contributions and three times the Supreme Court has struck them down. In addition, attempts to solve the issue legislatively have not been successful. While some type of contribution limits are within constitutional bounds of 44 states and federal elections, they are not in Oregon. The earliest attempt at limits was passed and subsequently struck down in 1908, and most legislative sessions today see at least some kind of attempt at campaign reform. Last year seemed to have particular resolve, with legislation that was introduced at the request of then Secretary of State Kate Brown, referred to as Senate Joint Resolution 5. The intent of the legislation was to place on the November 2016 ballot a measure amending the Oregon Constitution allowing the ability to enact laws limiting or prohibiting contributions made in connection with political campaigns. While having support from various entities across the state, the resolution had one public hearing (where the now newly anointed Governor Brown testified in favor), did not make it to a work session and died. In fairness to the Legislature, when the people spoke on the issue in 2006 they sent a mixed message by approving campaign contribution limits but opposing amending the Constitution. While nothing as serious as SJR 5 was proposed in the current short session, there were four bills submitted for consideration regarding campaign finance. When this was written, none was expected to make it out of committee. There are also bounds to limits in states with a constitution that allows the concept of finance control. Montana attempted to limit contributions to a level that the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals deemed too low and it was struck down. In 2008, Colorado voters attempted to ban contributions of contractors holding sole source state or local contracts in excess of $100,000, only to see it ruled unconstitutional by their Supreme Court. At the federal level, bans on certain contributions have been upheld, but the Citizens United decision has resulted in a soaring of outside spending in politics by corporations and unions with a large amount of it through donation streams with no disclosure of donors. Currently, Oregon has the second most costly legislative campaigns per capita in the nation and we rank 12th on the list for state spending on legislative races in 2010 (all states with higher spending had a greater population). I would hope that with all of that money spent we are one of the more informed electorates in the country, but I will let you be the judge of that. While I have no great alternative for the system we have, this is the Information Age, and I do believe all the data that you need to make your choice at the ballot box is available. With that said, you may have to sort through some trash to find it. Michael Zarosinski is a member of the Medford City Council. The views expressed in this piece are the individual's and do not necessarily represent the opinions or positions of the City Council. By Michael Zarosinski MailTribune.com By Michael Zarosinski Posted Mar. 6, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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