Transparency or Transparency Defeated: Campaign Finance Disclosure Loopholes Identified in Analysis of Taxpayer Defense Fund Chief Petitioner Disclosure Report

Publication Date: January 2004

Publisher: Democracy Reform Oregon

Author(s):

Research Area: Politics

Type: News release

Coverage: Oregon

Abstract:

The campaign finance disclosure report of the Taxpayer Defense Fund (TFD), the signature gathering committee to qualify Measure 30, meets the letter but violates the spirit of Oregon's disclosure laws. Taxpayer Defense Fund's heavy reliance on in-kind contributions from ally groups, in effect if not by design, circumvented disclosure and essentially creating a "shell" committee. Whether reflecting perception or reality, the disclosure report leaves Oregonians wondering if the Taxpayer Defense Fund has something to hide.