Hey You!
Do you love your city? Want to help make sure it’s got the right kind of leaders for years to come? Do you worry about the influence of money in politics, or that your City Council is out of touch? Maybe that the wrong people get elected, or maybe that they’re just not listening to the right people or ideas? Or of we’re doing OK right now, do you worry that they might stray in the future, if the public doesn’t have enough of a voice in their elections?
You’re probably aware we’ve got a pretty innovative public financing system here in Portland. In broad strokes, the system allows people running for Mayor, City Commissioner, or City Auditor to make a deal: after qualifying for the system by gathering 1000 (1500 for mayor) $5 donations, they voluntarily give up any fundraising. In return, the City gives them enough money to run a basic campaign.
The basic idea is that it encourages candidates to seek broad support, rather than seeking a base of support by catering to the interests of a narrow but influential segment of the community.
The system was initially established by City Council, but it will referred for a general vote by the public soon.
In practice, the system is more complicated than you might think. There have been a number of refinements made to the code governing the system over the several years it’s existed, and a number of judgment calls about how unusual situations are handled.
Who makes those calls? City Council. But those folks are busy, and they need your input!
For the past two years, I’ve served on the Citizen Campaign Commission. Appointed by City Council, we are an advisory panel made up of seven volunteers, and we track these issues and make recommendations to City Council.
Of our seven positions, five are opening up.
Want to join us?
Submit an application by 5pm tomorrow (Friday), and maybe you will!
{ 2 comments }
Oy! I pointed a friend to this and he sent you an email CCing me. I wasn’t sure what he needed to do so if you could point him in the right direction that would be lovely!
_c_
Capricious, I never got that email. Tried to contact you by email, but not sure if that one got through either?
Ah well, hope your friend got his app in. I know we got at least two others off this little wave of advocacy, and I think we got a total of about 11. Looking forward to seeing what kind of smart folks have come our way!
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