Multnomah County
Measure No. 26-59
Referred to the People by the Board of County Commissioners as Recommended by the Multnomah County Charter Review Committee.
BALLOT TITLE
CAPTION: Multnomah County Lobbyist
QUESTION: Should County Charter be amended to repeal bar on county paid lobbyist?
SUMMARY: This amends county Charter. The Charter Review Committee favors passage. The measure allows the county to employ a lobbyist. The Charter now bars a paid county lobbyist. This applies to the state and federal legislatures. County services and programs depend on many decisions made in Salem as well as federal funding. The county cannot proactively represent its interests. All other counties and cities may have paid lobbyists. The measure repeals Charter Section 6.50(2). It takes effect on November 3, 2004.
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
The Charter Review Committee recommends this measure. It repeals the bar on a county lobbyist. It allows the county to have an advocate to represent the county and its citizens at the state legislature in Salem and to promote its interests in Washington, D.C. for federal funds for projects like the Sauvie Island Bridge.
Although testimony may be given when requested by legislators, currently county employees cannot urge support or opposition on a bill. Only elected officials of the county may recommend that legislators vote in favor or against bills. A lobbyist provides information and advocates for the passage or defeat of bills. While the County is a member of organizations that employ lobbyists, the position taken by an organization cannot always represent the specific interests of the County.
Multnomah County is the only county in Oregon prohibited from employing a lobbyist to advocate their interests in Salem and Washington, D.C. In addition, no other government or private enterprise is under such a restriction. County services and programs depend on many decisions made in Salem as well as federal funding. The taxes paid by county citizens are also affected by state decisions.
The Charter Review Committee concluded that county elected officials do not have adequate time to fulfill their official duties while at the same time acting as lobbyists for the County’s interests on a regular basis.
The measure will take effect November 3, 2004.
Submitted by:
Multnomah Co. Charter Review Committee
No arguments AGAINST this measure were filed
Measure No. 26-59 | Multnomah County
ARGUMENT IN FAVOR
All members of the Charter Review Committee voted in favor of allowing Multnomah County a paid lobbyist.
Presently, the County Charter bars the county from having a paid advocate to promote county interests at the state legislature in Salem and in Washington DC. The current rule is unfair to county citizens because their interests cannot be represented at the legislatures as well as those from other counties and cities.
- Did you know Multnomah County is the only county in Oregon prohibited from employing a lobbyist to advocate their interests in Salem and Washington DC? And, that no other government or private enterprise is under such a restriction?
- Did you know state and federal law governs many county services, and a large portion of the county budget is controlled by state and federal legislatures and governments? The current ban deprives the legislature of necessary and important information about county services and programs when making funding decisions.
Level the playing field in Salem and Washington DC. Multnomah County has the largest population and budget of all counties in Oregon. In the 22 years since the lobbyist prohibition was added to the Charter, county services and funding have become increasingly tied to state law and federal decisions. A dedicated legislative lobbyist will provide Multnomah County equal standing when funding choices are being debated in Salem and Washington DC.
Keep our county elected officials focus on managing Multnomah County. Currently, only county volunteers and elected officials are allowed to advocate for the county at the state legislature and in Washington DC; they do not have the time or working knowledge to act as county lobbyists on a regular basis. Using existing resources, a paid lobbyist can work full-time in our best interests.
The Charter Review Committee requests that you vote yes on Measure 26-59.
The Oregonian on August 25th wrote, “There’s no reason to continue to handicap the county in this way. Vote ‘yes’ on Measure 26-59.”
(This information furnished by Lynn D. Partin, Charter Review Committee Volunteer PAC)
The printing of this argument does not constitute an endorsement by Multnomah County, nor does the county warrant the accuracy or truth of any statements made in the argument.