The "Yes on 28" effort is leading the fundraising race over opponents as polling indicates a close race concerning the ballot measure for a temporary income tax surcharge. "Last November, two-thirds of the ballot measure campaigns that raised the most money in support of their position won," says Janice Thompson, Executive Director of the Money in Politics Research Action Project. "That indicates the importance of fundraising, which would seem to be a factor in the 'yes on 28' position improving in the polls."

Most of the "Yes on 28" contributions of over $470,000 come from public employee unions representing over 115,000 members who are affected by Oregon's fiscal crisis. Other contributions, particularly to the small committees supporting ballot measure 28 in Eugene and Pendleton, are from health care and social service interests. For example, the largest contribution to the Lane Yes on 29 PAC was $5,000 from Peace Health and the largest contribution in Pendleton was from Round Up City Development Corporation. Expenditures of $390,00 are primarily for campaign literature, radio advertising, and get out the vote efforts.

The Turn the Tide On Measure 28 PAC is the only committee created solely for the purpose of defeating measure 28. This committee has raised essentially no money and its major contribution is from former Libertarian gubernatorial candidate, Tom Cox. The ongoing committees that have taken a "No on 28" position are the Oregon Republican Party, Oregon Citizens for a Sound Economy, and two PACs affiliated with the Taxpayer Association of Oregon. The only significant expenditures, however, are from the Republican Party and Taxpayers Association of Oregon's ballot measure PAC, which have spent $16,000 on radio ads and get out the vote calls. These committees have raised $8,000 and the Oregon Republican Party PAC brought $30,000 into this special election period.

Contributions reported as of January 24th and major donors are summarized on Chart 1 on the next page.

Chart 1 - Contributions to the Ballot Measure 28 PACs and their top donors *Contributions include cash, in-kind contributions, and loans received through January 13th and contributions reported on 1st and 2nd supplement to 2nd pre-election reports that summarize aggregate contributions of $500 or more between 1/13 and 1/23. Amounts could change due to amendments.