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STATE BlueMountainEagle.com Wednesday, March 6, 2019 A7 Lawmakers come and go, but the lobby remains a powerful constant By Claire Withycombe, Aubrey Wieber and Paris Achen Oregon Capital Bureau By Claire Withycombe, Au- brey Wieber and Paris Achen Oregon Capital Bureau Top 10 donors to state political campaigns in the past two election c)cles ()ears 2015-2018), courtes) the National Institute on Mone) in Politics: GROUP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .CAMPAIGN DONATIONS Oregon Public Employees Local 503 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $976197574 Oregon Education Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $874857912 Stand for Children . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $574767942 AFSCME Council 75 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $372777841 Oregon Association of Realtors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $276897299 Oregon Nurses Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $176317648 Oregon Health Care Association/Oregon Center for Assisted Living . . $172297104 Electrical Workers Local 48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $170367009 Oregon Trial Lawyers Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$8727829 Our Oregon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$8657350 $10,000,000 $9,000,000 $8,000,000 As the 2019 Legislature steams ahead, an army of 1,000 lobbyists is at work to gain political favors from the state’s 90 legislators. Two years ago, special interests reported to the state that they spent $39 million on that effort. The most expensive lobbying effort in 2017 was staged by the Oregon Association of Realtors, followed by Western States Petro- leum Association and the Oregon Nurses Association, according to spending reports required by the state. Oregon law requires anyone who hires a lobbyist to report what they spend to try to bend the Leg- islature to their will. That transparency is intended to hold legislators and lobbyists accountable, providing the public a way to judge who’s serving whom. Housing advocates and hospi- tals have already secured big wins with a fi rst-of-its-kind rent control bill signed into law Thursday and a Medicaid bill awaiting signature by Gov. Kate Brown. Still to come are signifi cant pro- posals such as carbon pricing, cam- paign fi nance reform and education spending, as well as a tobacco tax and pharmaceutical pricing bills. To date, more than 2,000 bills have been introduced. Lobbyists will have a say in which ones make it and which ones get nothing more than an introduc- tion followed by a quiet political burial. The 1,079 lobbyists regis- tered with the state are beholden only to the 1,150 clients who pay them. Employers can have several lobbyists. The labor union SEIU Local 503 and sportswear giant Nike, for instance, each has nine registered lobbyists. The lobbyists return year after year, some decade after decade. In contrast, some legislators last only a term, serving two years in the House and four in the Senate. “In a Legislature that has extremely high turnover, there are different institutional forces that have impact on the outcomes of legislation,” said Rep. Dan Ray- fi eld, D-Corvallis. “And some of the people that are institutional forces are legislators that have been around for a while, that have a historical knowledge of things. But the one constant in Salem is gonna be the lobby.” In 2017, interest groups spent $12 million more on lobbying than $7,000,000 $6,000,000 $5,000,000 $4,000,000 $3,000,000 $2,000,000 $1,000,000 $0 OPEL OEA SFC AFSCME OAR they did a decade earlier, according to the Oregon Government Ethics Commission. That spending on lobbying is only part of the cost of doing polit- ical business in Oregon. Donat- ing to legislators’ campaigns and other political operations is rou- tine. Interest groups sank $25 mil- lion into last year’s state elections. But now the focus is on trying to shape the laws and state spending that will touch every Oregonian. Hasina Wittenberg is an inde- pendent lobbyist who has worked in the Capitol since 1995. She mostly represents businesses such as Schnitzer Steel Industries and pharmaceutical companies. “Everyone has a lobbyist, whether or not they are some high- paid, power-wielding person who has notable wins or losses,” Witten- berg said. “Basic associations have lobbyists, like AARP, the Humane Society. The food bank has a lobby- ist because they want to feed more people.” For that money, interest groups expect to have infl uence, raising the question of whether lawmak- ers are voting on behalf of their constituents back home or for the interest groups fi lling their sched- ules and campaign coffers. “At its least harmful, it creates a signifi cant bias in what stories leg- islators hear,” said John Wonder- lich, executive director of the Sun- light Foundation, a Washington, D.C., group that advocates nation- ally for open government. “Beyond that, it can certainly become much more harmful,” Wonderlich said. “Especially when there’s a quid pro quo, or an offer of either supporting on the basis of a decision, or withholding support in order to prevent a decision from happening.” Common Cause Oregon, a non- partisan public interest group, has studied lobbying at the Capitol in the past, but in recent years has turned its focus to expanding vot- ONA OHCA EWL OTLA OO ing access and campaign fi nance reform, said Executive Director Kate Titus. A review of lobby expenditure reports from 2017 showed that the top spender was the Oregon Asso- ciation of Realtors at $864,500. The Realtors had two top priori- ties at the 2017 Legislature, accord- ing to lobbyist Shawn Cleave. They fought legislation that would have allowed cities and counties to cap rent increases while supporting legislation cre- ating a tax deduction and savings program for Oregonians buying their fi rst homes. That local rent cap idea didn’t pass, after a defi ning vote in the Senate in which four Democrats joined Republicans in opposition. The most vocal Democratic oppo- nent was then-Sen. Rod Monroe of Portland. “Rent control ultimately reduces the supply of low-income housing and will actually make the problem worse than better,” Mon- roe said in an interview explaining his stand. Last year, the Realtors stuck with Monroe as he sought re-elec- tion, donating $19,000 to Monroe’s campaign and spending another $200,000 to fend off a primary challenge from Shemia Fagan. She won. “He stuck his neck out on an issue that was important to us,” Cleave said. “He understands the economic concerns that come along with rent control, and we wanted to demonstrate to him that we support his position, and we support his re-election. Unfor- tunately, we weren’t successful there.” Just this week, the Legisla- ture approved statewide rent con- trols that were signed into law by Brown. Not all lobbying is about back- ing or fi ghting a proposal. Often, the political work focuses on amending legislation in detailed ways that often escape public attention. “I think the effect on legisla- tors is more subtle than some peo- ple think,” said Sen. Jeff Golden, D-Ashland. “People don’t walk in here with big bags of money and say, ‘Here’s how you gotta vote.’ I think it’s more subtle than that.” Golden said at times it can be hard for lawmakers to not consider campaign donors’ interests before casting a vote. Associations increasingly rec- ognize the importance of being active at the Capitol, such as the Oregon Nurses Associa- tion. Between 2007 and 2017, the amount the association spent on lobbying more than doubled, pub- lic reports show. The group ranked third in lob- bying spending in 2017, shelling out $416,362. A decade earlier, it ranked 19th, spending $194,412. Kevin Mealy, spokesman for the Oregon Nurses Association, said in the past decade member- ship rose from 11,000 to 15,000. Those members have increasingly taken on new roles such as nurse practitioners, home care nurses and school nurses. Mealy said that in 2015 the association decided to expand its political interests beyond direct health care to livability issues such as education, housing and clean air and water. Groups such as the nurses asso- ciation also deploy their members as a lobbying force, picking one day for members to fl ood the Cap- itol, shake hands and make their points with legislators. In recent days, the advocacy days were con- ducted by the Oregon School Based Health Alliance and the Northwest Credit Union Association. Some bring hundreds, others thousands, armed with signs and matching T-shirts. They set up shop in the Capitol hallway, giv- ing out everything from cookies to scarves. The nurses association reim- burses its members for travel costs to get to Salem, said Martin Taylor, the organization’s executive direc- tor. Earlier this month, 125 nurses showed up to lobby for the day. When such one-day advocates go home, the paid lobbyists stay behind to tend to legislation and legislators. Lobbyists are considered by legislators and their staff as vital sources of information to explain what legislation would do — or not do. A good lobbyist shares their cli- ent’s perspective — and the oppo- sition’s, Wittenberg said. “We have this wealth of infor- mation and a tremendous amount of knowledge based upon longev- ity,” said Wittenberg. “A reputation is the only thing you can protect as a lobbyist,” Wit- tenberg said. “If you are dishon- est, unethical and don’t tell the full story, people will eventually see through that.” “To be a lobbyist is not to do evil,” said Phil Keisling, director of the Center for Public Service at the Mark Hatfi eld School of Gov- ernment at Portland State Univer- sity. “It’s an advocacy process.” Some are infl uential because they’re persuasive. Keisling worked in the Legisla- ture as an assistant to then-Speaker Vera Katz in the late 1980s, served one term in the House and was sec- retary of state from 1991 to 1999. In his experience, the most effective lobbyists provided law- makers the best argument against their own position and then refute it. According to Wonderlich, state lawmakers generally have fewer staff to evaluate legislation. Legislators in Oregon receive about $61,000 per session for staff, services and supplies. Legislative assistants make $2,806 to $4,727 per month, depending on experi- ence. Most lawmakers have one to three staff members. Wonderlich said having fewer staff to vet proposals can make state lawmakers easier targets for lobbyists. “Each state’s decisions have a massive impact on the amount of profi ts they have,” Wonderlich said. “That fact is not lost on inter- ests that are behind lobbying.” Lobbyists testify in commit- tee hearings on behalf of their cli- ents, but they also work to infl u- ence decisions behind the scenes, whether it’s a meeting in a law- maker’s offi ce or grabbing a quick chat in a hallway as a legislator goes from meeting to meeting. Two years ago, Rayfi eld pushed to make lobbying more transparent. House Bill 2577 would have required lobbyists to disclose which bills they were lobbying, their positions on the bills and what topics they were lobbying. The effort “set the building on fi re,” Rayfi eld said. Nonetheless, he rounded up 34 representatives to co-sponsor the proposal, which passed the House with 51 votes. But when legislators adjourned July 7, 2017, the bill sat on the desk of Senate President Peter Courtney, no vote ever taken in that chamber. “There’s a lot of things that could have gone on, so I don’t want to speculate as to ill will,” Rayfi eld said. Hundreds turn out for heated, emotional testimony on vaccination bill Bill would remove religious, philosophical exemptions By Aubrey Wieber Oregon Capital Bureau The Capitol swelled with a sea of red Thursday as hundreds came to Salem to testify on legislation that would remove parents’ abil- ity to decide whether to vaccinate their child and keep them in public or private school. The proposal, House Bill 3063, would remove religious and philo- sophical exemptions for Oregon’s required vaccines, leaving in place only a medical reason for a child to avoid vaccinations. The House Committee on Health Care held the fi rst hearing on the bill, which was introduced last Friday. Safety and harassment was at issue as much as public pol- icy. Many witnesses favoring the change noted the threats they and others have received from vaccine skeptics. Opponents who want autonomy on whether to vaccinate, most wearing red shirts to signal opposition, pushed back on being called “anti-vaxxers” or crazy. Multnomah County Commis- sioner Sharon Meieran, in sup- port, said she was nervous to tes- tify because of death threats some have received. “The tenor of this debate has gotten unhealthy, and frankly, dan- gerous,” she said. Hours before the hearing, House Speaker Tina Kotek, D-Portland, told reporters of how heated the issue has become, and that some people feel they can’t safely tes- tify. She said some have received threats at their workplace. “If you want to testify and someone shows up at your work- place, that’s harassment,” Kotek said. “That’s not a free speech issue, that’s harassment.” Rep. Andrea Salinas, D-Lake Oswego, chair of the committee, opened the hearing warning that anyone being disruptive or harass- ing would be removed by state police. About 75 people testifi ed while another 180 were left waiting to do so despite the hearing going three hours. Hundreds more were there to listen. If the bill becomes law, parents who receive a medical exemp- tion could still keep their children in school. Those unable to get a medical exemption and who still didn’t want to vaccinate their chil- dren would have to home school them. The vaccine debate is always heated and provokes accusations of government overreach and some- times conspiracy theories about ill will on behalf of public health offi cials. But with the backdrop of the largest measles outbreak in the region in decades — 66 confi rmed cases, all but one being in south- west Washington — the debate has become especially charged. SPAY-ghetti Dinner & Auction Wednesday, March 13th, 5:00PM - 8PM at GC Fairgrounds Pavilion Dessert Auction Please help support your local Animal Rescue Spay and Neuter Programs Spitfire Cocktails Auctioneer: Jack Southworth Admission by donation Special Guest: Herd U Needed A Home Dinner sponsored by Squeeze In Restaurant A line to sign up to testify stretching half the building formed, many holding small children and wearing a sticker identifying them as opposed to the legislation. Capitol employees had to open two overfl ow rooms, including one in the basement that holds around 100 people. That room was closed as staff told the still-grow- ing crowd that it could listen to the hearing from speakers in the Capi- tol’s concourse. Legislators from both parties have lined up in favor and against the bill. Sen. Jeff Golden, D-Ash- land, testifi ed against the bill only to be reminded by the bill’s spon- sor, Rep. Mitch Greenlick, D-Port- land, that only half the children in a school in Golden’s district have been vaccinated. He wondered what would happen if there was an outbreak at that school. Golden declined to engage, saying Greenlick is the public health expert, but said he thinks the proposed legislation is an overreaction. Greenlick disagreed, and said the measles outbreak should prompt lawmakers to act where they have failed in the past. “It turns out, no, it’s not a theo- retical discussion,” he said. “It’s a very practical discussion.” Language in testimony often turned dramatic. Sen. Kim Thatcher, R-Keizer, said the bill would take medical decisions from parents and give them to Oregon Health Authority offi cials. “Our children are not lab rats,” she said, garnering a loud applause. Sen. Dennis Linthicum, R-Klamath Falls, said the proposal was the “Russian roulette” of pub- lic policy. Several public health offi - cials and medical doctors testifi ed that diseases like polio have been essentially eradicated through vac- cines. They talked about children with immune defi ciencies scared to go to school because of low vac- cination rates. Grant SWCD Weed Control Dept. Working for You in 2019 Thanks to the Grant County Court and Northeast Oregon Forests Resource Advisory Committee, Grant Weed Control is able to offer a 25% Cost share program for Noxious Weed Control on Private Grazing Lands, through a Title II funded Grant Project. This program will provide a maximum $5,000 of noxious weed control services with a $1,250 maximum landowner contribution to qualifying participants. To be eligible for participation, the treatment property must not be actively irrigated and must be primarily managed for livestock grazing, minimum of 20 acres in size, located within Grant County, and must contain priority noxious weed species. Applications for this limited weed control assistance opportunity will be ranked and funded according to a priority noxious weed list.. Contact the Grant Soil and Water Conservation District Office at (541) 575-1554 or visit 721 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845 for applications and additional information. The application deadline for this program is April 12th, 2019. 107997
