“We can't wait another two years for others to learn what's really blocking the changes we need at Multnomah County.
DONATE TO SAM HERE — HE WOULD HIT THE GROUND RUNNING
April 10, 2024
Dear Neighbor,
It was one of those ‘a-ha’ moments, and I said to myself: “So, this is why the status quo
seems to rule county decision-making”
I'm on a call with a homeless advocacy organization in Portland's city hall. It's late 2022, and they are furious with me about our proposed changes to:
Replace upwards of 800 often dangerous self-sited camps with fewer larger serviced outdoor shelter sites, and a citywide phased-in camping ban as they open.
They seemed to brush aside our research despite it showing a 5- to 10-year waiting list for housing and skyrocketing homeless-related drug, murder, and pedestrian deaths.
DONATE TO SAM HERE - THE COUNTY CHANGE MAKER WE NEED
As the call concluded, I went to look up the group’s Multnomah County lobbyist reports. Nothing.
And, then, “a-ah,” I learned that Multnomah County doesn't regulate its lobbyists. That means:
Unreported Secret Meetings: County allows special interest lobbyists to meet with the Chair, Commissioners, and staff in secret unreported meetings.
Unreported Secret Clients: County lobbyists don't register, disclose their clients or issues they influence, or reveal which County officials they lobby.
San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, King, all these bigger West Coast counties regulate their lobbyists. So do federal, state, Metro, and City of Portland governments.
I won new rules requiring Portland's lobbyists to register and report. Today, about 100 lobbyists must transparently report on the efforts to influence city decision makers.
In a supportive 2005 Oregonian Editorial, their headline is at the top of this email, they wrote:
“Sam Adams is right to push for transparency and tracking of who is seeking to influence council and staff.”
Elect me to the Multnomah County Board; I will also fix it in the county.
Call or text me with any comments or questions: 503-421-8925 ~ Sam”
~Theresa Griffin Kennedy
"Lobbying Should Be Registered."