City of Portland Receives Credit for Innovations in Government

Harvard Picks Lobbying Registration Code and Home Again - part of the 10 Year Plan To End Homelessness - as Two of the 50 Most Innovative Government Programs

The Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation at Harvard Kennedy School today announced that the City of Portland's Lobbying Registration Code and the Multnomah County and Portland's Home Again made the Top 50 Programs of the 2008 Innovations in American Government Awards competition. Selected from a pool of nearly 1,000 applicants, these 50 programs represent the best in government innovation from local, county, city, tribal, state, and federal levels. Each of the Top 50 programs underwent several rounds of rigorous evaluation from a committee of practitioners and policy experts from Harvard Kennedy School as well as renowned institutions nationwide. Representing a range of jurisdictions from across the country, the Top 50 programs include seventeen cities/towns, four counties, six federal agencies, three school districts, nineteen states and one tribal government.

The City of Portland's Lobbying Registration Code requires entities that lobby city officials (over 8 hours a quarter) to register with the city and to report what city officials they talked with, the subject discussed, the amount of money expended and when the lobbying occurred. That information is then made available to the public via the auditor's website. This is the only system in the country that focuses on actual lobbying hours as well as gifts and contributions.

After a year of shaping the lobbying regulations draft through public input, the regulations were passed by City Council at the end of 2005, and registration started in early 2006. Commissioner Adams is honored to have the regulations recognized by the Kennedy School. As a result of the regulations, over 217 lobbyists, representing 57 lobbying entities, have registered their activities with the City Auditor. As well, City officials publish their calendars. Commissioner Adams said, "It is an honor for Portland to be nationally recognized in our efforts in increasing transparency and accountability in local government."

Since the 10-year Plan to End Homelessness was announced in December 2004, the City and County have housed more than 1,200 homeless individuals and more than 1,600 homeless families. Over 1,000 units of permanent supportive housing (where services such as mental health treatment, addiction treatment and job training are provided onsite) have been built. Home Again is the City and County's effort to end peoples' homelessness.

These two programs highlight Portland's innovative approach to government.

Finalists among the Top 50 will be announced on June 3, 2008. On June 12, finalist programs will make presentations on their initiatives before a National Selection Committee, chaired by David Gergen. Winners will receive $100,000 to replicate their efforts in other communities. Additional information about the Ash Institute is available at http://www.ashinstitute.harvard.edu.

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