Campaign Transparency

It took some time, but we’ve added a new page to the campaign website that addresses an issue I’ve thought about from the beginning: transparency in campaign fundraising.

Many campaigns raise hundreds of thousands of dollars, and for most people it’s difficult to understand where that money comes from or how it’s used. I didn’t want to begin accepting donations until I could do it in a way that reflects the kind of openness I believe Portland deserves.

The new Campaign Funding page provides a straightforward summary of the money the campaign receives. The information is updated manually and presented in a way that respects donor privacy while still giving the public a clear picture of our finances. As far as I’m aware, no other campaign in this race is offering this level of transparency. I believe public trust starts with practicing the standards you expect from government. Soon there will also be a list of what I would like to spend the money on.

The campaign can now accept donations through ActBlue, and you’ll find the link on the Donate page. As the campaign grows, we also plan to add a second payment option because I understand that some people prefer not to use ActBlue. That’s perfectly fine. I want supporting the campaign to be as accessible as possible. You can visit it now.

(Click for Actblue donation here)

On another note, politics can be a ruthless business. Recently, Councilor Mitch Green made the news over late property tax payments. While I disagree with a number of his policy positions, I don’t think this is something that deserves personal attacks.

Anyone responsible for multiple projects, organizations, or commitments knows what it’s like to keep a lot of plates spinning. If you don’t build enough support around yourself, eventually one plate will fall. Serving on the City Council requires juggling countless responsibilities even to do the job adequately. Doing it well requires even more.

I’m not here to judge Councilor Green’s overall record. What I will say is that, based on what is publicly known, this appears to be a single mistake rather than a pattern of misconduct. Missing a tax payment, especially one worth thousands of dollars when you make more then a hundred and thirty thousand, is a serious oversight, but serious mistakes and intentional wrongdoing are not the same thing. Unless evidence shows this was part of a larger pattern or it was done deliberately, I think it’s fair to view it as an error rather than a question of character.

If you disagree with Councilor Green, challenge his policies. Hold elected officials accountable for the decisions they make and the results they produce. We all make mistakes from time to time. What matters most is whether those mistakes become a pattern and whether people take responsibility when they happen.