Money in Politics Research Action Project -
[Cached Version]
Published on: 7/16/2005
Last Visited: 4/20/2007
John Valley of the American Heart Association, one of the leading groups involved with the coalition, says anti-smoking and health care advocates might try to take one or more of the issues directly to Oregon voters next year.
"I would be surprised if there wasn't an effort to put a cigarette tax on the 2006 ballot if the Legislature does nothing," he said.
Valley and other advocates aren't giving up on the Legislature just yet, but they are facing some well-heeled opponents.
...
Valley, the Heart Association spokesman, said he thinks it's an open question about how much lawmakers were influenced by campaign contributions from groups who opposed the anti-smoking bills.
"I don't think it's mere coincidence" that all three bills are languishing, he said.