Ballot Measure 64 is a bad idea. Under Measure 64, labor unions and nonprofit charities that engage in very broadly defined “political activity” would be barred from accepting donations made by public employees through voluntary payroll deduction or given by anyone attending an event in a public building. The initiative includes severe fines and limits on groups’ future fundraising efforts.
Measure 64 would unfairly shut out from the political process thousands of working Oregonians who pool together small contributions to make their voices heard — including firefighters, nurses and teachers — but would do nothing to address the political influence of corporate special interests. And all Oregonians would lose the right to support many charities through the state charitable checkoff program. Measure 64 would even mandate local authorities to policie organizations’ fundraising activities.
This measure is another attack on working people by the right-wing extremist Bill Sizemore, a racketeer whose organization has been caught repeatedly committing fraud and forgery to abuse Oregon’s initiative system.
Measure 64 would weaken the power of labor unions and nonprofit organizations, while effectively increasing the power of corporate lobbyists. That is an unfavorable outcome for anyone who cares about the future of fair trade policy. The Oregon Fair Trade Campaign urges you to please vote No on Measure 64 and to forward this message to those who share your views.
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