The tobacco industry gave $126,410 in campaign contributions during the last two elections to current legislators. These contributions came from only 8 donors. A breakdown of contributions for each election is available. The tobacco industry also spent $728,135 on lobbying since 1999.
 

Tobacco Contributor	Total 1998 and 2000 contributions to current legislators
Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp	$14,500
Carney, RJ Reynolds Tobacco Co	$100
Cascade Cigar & Tobacco Co	$600
Lorillard Tobacco Co	$4,000
Philip Morris	$46,660
RJ Reynolds Tobacco Co	$55,100
Tobacco Institute	$3,250
US Tobacco/UST Public Affairs Inc.	$2,200
Totals	$126,410

Thirty out of the current 60 members of the Oregon House of Representatives received tobacco contributions in 2000. Twenty-two Republicans received 90% of those dollars while 8 Democrats received 10% of tobacco contributions. The average contribution to Republicans was $2,148 while the average contribution to Democratic Representatives was $638.

Sixteen of the 30 members of the Oregon Senate received tobacco industry contributions in 1998 and 2000 elections. Thirteen Republicans received 97% of those dollars and 3 Democratic Senators received the remaining 3% of contributions. The average contribution to Republican Senators was $4,582 and the average contribution to Democrats was $547. These figures include 1998 contributions to the House races of 4 current Senators.

Both Governor Kitzhaber's and the legislative budgets make cuts. Budget discussions between legislative leaders and Kitzhaber, however, are stalled over how to add money to the budget. The Governor is pushing for a 50-cent per pack increase in cigarette taxes. Oregon's tax per pack of cigarettes is the lowest on the West Coast.

A national poll indicated that 87% of voters believe that when a politician receives special interest contributions his or her vote is affected on issues of concern to those groups.