Portland City Auditor Simone Rede is urging city leaders to make changes to the city’s campaign finance law, which was approved by voters in 2018. Rede wants the mayor and City Council to consider either allowing state law to override the city’s rules, or proposing a local ballot measure to amend the law. These changes would align Portland’s campaign finance regulations with Oregon’s new law set to take effect in 2027, which includes higher contribution limits. Critics, including attorney Dan Meek, argue that Rede’s recommendations would undermine the city’s current system, which limits contributions to $500 per election cycle. Despite concerns, the Auditor’s Office believes the proposed changes would simplify the rules for candidates and donors while promoting inclusivity and transparency in city government. Officials recently met with Oregon House Speaker Julie Fahey and representatives from major unions to discuss ways to harmonize state and local campaign finance laws. Rede’s office did not disclose specific legal vulnerabilities that might result from overlapping laws but maintains that changes are needed to ensure compliance. However, Meek and others are wary of potential legal challenges and lack of transparency in the decision-making process. Rede’s memo suggests that the City Council could set lower contribution limits than the state, but details on potential adjustments to disclosure requirements are still unclear. The debate over Portland’s campaign finance laws highlights the ongoing struggle to balance transparency and accountability with the need to attract diverse candidates and fund campaigns effectively.
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