VOTE YES ON MEASURE 24-78

It is time to take back our government from the special interests.

Measure 24-78 establishes critical ethical standards for Salem officials and requires them to disclose large campaign contributions and conflicts of interest before voting.

Everyone knows money in politics is a serious problem.

On October 10, 1994, the Statesman Journal called for “relief from the power of groups and individuals who buy an office for their favorite candidate by feeding him or her the money needed to buy advertising and expertise.”

“Even the most dedicated and conscientious politicians will have trouble showing their independence . . . when they know who their financial sugar-daddies are,” continued the Statesman Journal.

Nearly eight years later, little has changed.

Nationally, the Enron scandal highlights the golden rule of politics: whoever has the gold sets the rules. Around Oregon, public officials make decisions benefitting their relatives or business associates. Locally, development interests spent more than $50,000 trying to influence the outcome of a single Salem city race in the 2000 election—$30,000 from one homebuilders PAC.

Our current laws lack the teeth to prevent these abuses, feeding public cynicism about the integrity of public decisions.

Now we finally have a chance to make a difference.

Measure 24-78 gives voters the opportunity to enact genuine reform.

By requiring city officials to step aside if business or family relationships or large contributions create the appearance of impropriety, Measure 24-78 will ensure that decisions are fair and in the public interest.

And if it discourages developers—or development opponents—from trying to buy local elections, so much the better.

VOTE YES ON MEASURE 24-78