Public Policy

Alliance Political Activity

The Alliance works with other business associations to advocate for business issues at the local, regional, state and federal level. The Alliance keeps close tabs on current and upcoming state elections and ballot measures; state utilities, boards, commissions, campaigns, budgets and initiatives; and state and federal issues that impact the Portland region. For current political activity, see below. The Alliance also makes endorsements in regional elections as well as occasional state and federal elections in Portland-region districts.

If you have any questions about the Alliance's advocacy work, contact Bernie Bottomly at bbottomly@portlandalliance.com.

Political activity news:

April 2012: David Douglas School Bond receives Alliance endorsement

David Douglas School District is seeking a $50 million capital improvement bond on the May ballot. Since the measure is education related and does not increase taxes, the Alliance board voted to support the bond.

The bond would replace an expiring bond measure and would therefore not increase property taxes but continue the existing tax of $1.76 per $1,000 of assessed value.

Funds from the bond measure would be used for building maintenance and rehabilitation, computers and books and to construct a new early learning center in the David Douglas School District. A citizen oversight committee has been set up to oversee spending.

Back to top

April 2012: Alliance board endorses Judy Shiprack for Multnomah County Commission

At the April board meeting, the Alliance board voted to endorse Commissioner Judy Shiprack for reelection to Multnomah County Commission, District 3. Commissioner Shiprack is running unopposed. Read the press release >>

Back to top

March 2012: Alliance hosts Leadership Trip to Washington, D.C. with a focused Federal Legislative Agenda

Each year, the Portland Business Alliance hosts a Leadership Trip to Washington, D.C., and this year's trip will happen from April 16 to 18. More than 20 business and community leaders from around the region will take the opportunity to meet with members of the congressional delegation as well as administration officials.

Items to be addressed during congressional delegation and administration meetings will focus on policy issues that grow the economy and create jobs. The issues and requests have been divided into groups, such as transportation, regulatory, economic development and research/innovation. View the Alliance's Federal Legislative Agenda >>

Back to top

March 2012: Alliance-supported bills pass during the 2012 legislative session

During the 2012 legislative session, the Alliance, in partnership with Associated Oregon Industries, Oregon Business Association and Oregon Business Council advocated for bills supporting education reform, health care redesign and economic development. These bills were developed from policies in the Oregon Business Plan, and were supported in the Governor's legislative agenda. All of the major bills that the Alliance supported passed this legislative session.

Education Reform: The Alliance supported several bills that continue the work that began last session with the passage of Senate Bills 909 and 242. This session, the Legislature passed a bill that establishes achievement compacts for education entities to enter with the Oregon Education Investment Board; a bill that continues the work of education governance consolidation by establishing the Early Learning Council; and a bill that establishes a task force on higher education governance that will look at local governing boards for some post secondary institutions.

Health Care Redesign: The Alliance supported two bills focused on health care service delivery - one allows the Oregon Health Plan to move forward with the development of coordinated care organizations through the state, which would allow the state to save money by integrating health care services. The other bill approves the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange business plan, a critical step in meeting federal deadlines toward implementation. Both bills passed.

Oregon Investment Act: The Alliance successfully supported a bill that consolidates state economic development resources in one place and creates a vehicle to attract private sector lending and venture capital.

Back to top

February 2012: Alliance legislative priorities focus on issues related to economic development and job growth

The Oregon Legislature’s first-ever annual session in an even numbered year convened on February 1. The Alliance’s goals for this session reflect initiatives developed in partnership with Associated Oregon Industries, Oregon Business Association and Oregon Business Council and focuses on specific issues set forth in the Oregon Business Plan. In 2011, Governor Kitzhaber championed a number of key Oregon Business Plan initiatives on education, higher education and health care. For the 2012 session, the Alliance, in partnership with the other business associations, will support legislation that follows up on the progress made in 2011.

Reform Education

  • Support Oregon Education Investment Board recommendations on outcomes, achievement compacts with schools.
  • Oregon Education Investment Board should outline state agency reorganization to accomplish better student outcomes and specific means to achieve them.
  • Create a process to develop local governance for specified universities for the 2013 session.

Health Care Redesign

  • Legislature should be presented and adopt competitive health insurance exchanges.
  • Legislature should grant authority to create community Coordinated Care Organizations.

Increase Business Access to Capital: Oregon Investment Act

  • Pass the Oregon Investment Act, an initiative by State Treasurer Ted Wheeler, to consolidate Oregon’s economic development resources in one place and create a vehicle to incent more private sector lending and venture capital.

Reform Tax/Revenue Policy

  • Support Senator Morse and Senator Burdick proposal on revenue stability as an effort to continue the conversation on kicker reform and the creation of a rainy day fund as well as adjustments to capital gains that the business community supports.
  • Governor, Legislature and stakeholders should develop revenue and tax policy changes for 2013 session and/or voters. Like the Morse-Burdick proposal, the business community is interested in finding ways to reduce the boom and bust cycle of Oregon revenue and spending, fix some of the disincentives to business investment in the tax code, and require government to reduce the rate of increase in spending.

Back to top

January 2012: 2012 Election - Portland region update

Oregon Legislature - Portland region
Elizabeth Steiner Hayward (D-Portland) won appointment to Senate District 17, the seat vacated by Suzanne Bonamici as she runs for the Oregon 1st District congressional seat. The appointment was voted on by Washington, Clackamas and Multnomah county commissioners.

Back to top

January 2012: Two candidates run for Oregon Attorney General

Two well known candidates are expected to run for the position of Oregon Attorney General, following John Kroger's announcement he will not be running for another term. Ellen Rosenblum, a former state judge on the Court of Appeals, has announced her intention to run and has been endorsed by former Governor Barbara Roberts. Also expected to run is Dwight Holton, a Portland attorney who recently left his position with the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Back to top

December 2011: 2012 Election: Portland region update

Oregon Congress - Portland region
Democrat Suzanne Bonamici (D-Beaverton) resigned from her seat in Oregon Senate District 17, as she will be running against Republican Rob Cornilles in the 1st Congressional District general election in January. Both candidates have also released their first campaign ads. The Alliance board did not make an endorsement in this race.

Oregon Senate - Portland region
Party officials Senate District 17 district will nominate three to five candidates to fill Bonamici's seat in time for the February 2012 legislative session. Commissioners from both Multnomah and Clackamas County will then appoint one of the nominees to fill the position.

Back to top

December 2011: Ballot measure for a ban on real estate transfer tax is moving forward

A petition for a ballot measure calling for a constitutional ban on new real estate transfer taxes will likely get enough signatures to make it on the Oregon ballot next November. The petition is from the Oregon Association of Realtors who have collected 100,000 of the 116,284 needed signatures. The group just received additional funding from the National Association of Realtors. More information >>

Back to top

December 2011: Multnomah casino could make it on the 2012 ballot

Supporters of the 2010 ballot measure that would allow creation of Oregon's first private, non-tribal casino may try again in 2012.
Gresham Outlook article >>
OPB story >>

Oregon's constitution currently prohibits private casinos. As a result, voters would have to pass two measures, one that changes the state's constitution to allow a single private casino and another that would approve the actual construction of the casino and the subsequent gaming tax on the casino's revenues.

Oregon voters rejected the measure allowing for the casino's construction last November. The measure that would have changed the state's constitution to allow a single private casino did not receive enough signatures by the deadline to make it on the 2010 ballot.

Back to top

November 2011: 2012 election Portland region update

Oregon House - Portland region
Oregon House Democratic Co-Speaker Arnie Roblan (D-Coos Bay) has announced he will run for Senate District 5. Democratic Leader Rep. Tina Kotek (D-N/NE Portland) is expected to seek the speaker's role if the Democrats control in 2013.

Democrat Brent Barton has said will run for House District 40, the seat currently held by Rep. Dave Hunt who is leaving to run for Clackamas County Chair. Barton was previously a member of the Oregon House in District 51 but gave up his seat to unsuccessfully run for the Senate in 2010. Barton has since moved. Rep. Hunt has served as a legislator for nine years, but was replaced as House Democratic Speaker by Arnie Roblan at the end of last session. Hunt will be running against current Clackamas County Chairwoman, Charlotte Lehan.

Democrat Katie Riley has announced she will run for House District 29 against incumbent Rep. Katie Eyre Brewer (R-Hillsboro). Riley lost to Eyre Brewer in the 2010 election.

Oregon Senate - Portland region
Democratic Senator Mark Hass (D-Beaverton) will face Republican Gary Coe in the next election. Coe is an owner and investor in several towing industry businesses, and has served as president of Portland's Central East Side Industrial Council.

Back to top

October 2011: Health Insurance Exchange Board named

This week, Governor Kitzhaber released the names for the members of the Oregon Health Insurance Exchange Board as follows:
  • Bruce Goldberg, Director of Oregon Health Authority
  • Teresa Miller, Administrator of the Insurance Division, Oregon DCBS
  • Ken Allen, Executive Director of Oregon AFSCME Council 75
  • Teri Andrews, small business owner of CG Industries in Corvallis
  • Liz Baxter, Executive Director of We Can Do Better, a non-profit organization focused on improving health care and health outcomes for Oregonians
  • Aelea Christofferson, small business owner of ATL Communications in Bend
  • Jose Gonzales, Principal Broker of Tu Casa Real Estate Corporation in Salem
  • Sujata Sanghvi, Chief Operating Officer and Executive VP of PacificSource Health Plans in Springfield
  • Dr. George Brown, Chief Executive Officer of Legacy Health System

The board will be responsible for submitting a formal business plan for the exchange by February 1, 2012 to be approved by the Legislature. Names for the Oregon Education Investment Board were also released and can be found here.

Back to top

October 2011: Portland City Council candidate fund raising report

Mary Nolan reports raising $68,000 in her bid to unseat Commissioner Amanda Fritz, with $50,000 cash on hand. Commissioner Fritz reports raising $28,000, however $25,000 of that total is a personal loan. She reports less than $1,000 cash on hand.

Steve Novick, who is running to fill the seat being vacated by Randy Leonard, picked up an opponent this month, community activist Jeri Williams. Williams, a 50-year-old program coordinator with Portland's Office of Neighborhood Involvement rose from poverty to become an environmental activist before joining the city office five years ago. A member of the Klamath Tribes, Williams also calls herself a survivor of prostitution. Novick reports raising $125,000 in cash and in-kind contributions with $90,000 cash on hand.

Back to top

October 2011: Announcements in the Metro Council races

Tigard Mayor Craig Dirksen announced his candidacy for the Metro Council District 3 seat on Thursday, September 15, 2011. District 3 is currently held by Councilor Carl Hosticka who has announced that he will not run again.

Helen Ying, a consultant with 30-years experience as a math teacher, high school counselor and vice principal, announced she will run for the District 5 position now held by Rex Burkholder. He is prevented by term limits from running again. Ying, long active in Portland's Chinese-American community, said Burkholder encouraged her to run for office.

Bob Stacey, the former 1000 Friends of Oregon director who narrowly missed election as Metro Council president last year, said he'll officially file for election to District 6, now held by Barbara Roberts. The former governor was appointed to the position to fill Robert Liberty's term and has said she will not seek election in 2012.

Back to top

October 2011: Alissa Keny-Guyer replaces Rep. Ben Cannon

Oregon Representative Ben Cannon (D-Portland) announced he will be resigning his seat in the house to become Governor Kitzhaber's Education Policy Advisor. He replaces Nancy Golden, the Springfield School District Superintendent, who was in the position temporarily.

Multnomah County Democrats met on September 21 to pick three to five candidate finalists to replace Rep. Cannon. On September 27, Multnomah County Commissioners selected Alissa Keny-Guyer as Rep. Cannon's replacement. Keny-Guyer won votes from Deborah Kafoury, Loretta Smith, Judy Shiprack, and Jeff Cogen. Diane McKeel voted for Rob Milesnick.

Keny-Guyer's candidate statement submitted to the Multnomah County Democrats prior to the nomination process outlines her priorities.

Back to top

October 2011: Issues for possible 2012 election ballot measures

Many groups are already collecting signatures for potential 2012 ballot measures in Oregon, with plenty of time until the July 6, 2012 deadline. A measure that would make growing and using marijuana without a medical card legal has already collected a third of the signatures needed to be placed on the ballot. Other proposed initiatives include prohibiting government agencies from collecting public union political contributions through payroll deductions, prohibiting transfer taxes on real estate, and a reversal of the ban on using hounds to hunt cougars and bears.

Signatures are also being collected for creating an independent commission, made up of retired judges, in charge of congressional and legislative redistricting every 10 years, taking the job away from the legislature. Citizen initiatives require 87, 213 signatures to be placed on the ballot if they change state law, and 116,284 signatures if it requires a change to the Oregon Constitution.

Back to top

October 2011: Senate Democratic Leadership Fund gains executive director

Senate Democratic leaders have appointed Tom Powers as the new Executive Director of the Senate Democratic Leadership Fund (SDLF). Powers acted as the lead Democratic staffer on the recent redistricting process, has served as the Campaign Services Director for the Future PAC, the Oregon House Democrats' campaign organization, and has been a legislative aide to various House legislators. He will be responsible for all aspects of the Senate Democrat's campaign efforts for the 15 Senate seats up in the 2012 election.

Back to top

October 2011: Possible Public Utility Commission appointment

Steve Bloom, a Portland attorney, is the leading candidate to be appointed to the Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC). By statute, the individual must be a Republican, and Bloom fits all requirements. Governor Kitzhaber is responsible for appointing the new PUC chair, who will join the current PUC Commissioners Susan Ackerman and Jon Savage. The Oregon Senate must approve the appointment.

Back to top

September 2011: Many changes on the horizon in the upcoming 2012 state elections

September 8 was the first day of election filing for the 2012 election. The filing deadline is March 6, 2012 for the May 15, 2012 primary election. All 60 Oregon House seats are up for election in 2012, along with 15 Oregon Senate seats. Statewide positions up for election include Attorney General, Secretary of State, and State Treasurer. Attorney General John Kroger has announced he will be running for a second term. Many county positions are also up in 2012. Tootie Smith, former state legislator (2000-2005), has announced her campaign for Clackamas County Commissioner.

The five U.S. House districts are up for election as well, including the First Congressional District, which is currently holding a special election with a special primary election on November 8, 2011 and special general election on January 31, 2012.

More details on election filings >>

Back to top



Home | Join | Events | PBA Blog | Members Only | Search | Site Map | Contact Us