Murmurs: Meet The New Year. A Lot Like The Old Year.

1. Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown is finally fulfilling her long-delayed promise to tackle campaign finance reform. Oregon is one of only four states that places no limits on political contributions. Brown is proposing bills for the 2015 Legislature that would set limits (as yet undefined) in state law and refer to voters a constitutional amendment that would allow the limits despite the Oregon Constitution’s broad free-expression protections. “You shouldn’t be able to buy a bigger megaphone to drown out all the other voices,” says Tony Green, Brown’s spokesman. “The First Amendment was designed to increase political discourse. Unlimited spending silences it.”

1. It no longer matters what City Hall comes up with for a street fee to fund transportation projects: An opposition group tells WW it will circulate petitions to force the proposal to the ballot. Mayor Charlie Hales and Commissioner Steve Novick’s ever-shifting plan would raise $46 million a year; both have been looking for ways to avoid putting the plan before voters. Hair salon owner Ann Sanderson, who leads a coalition of small-business owners and activists called Stop Portland Street Fee, says City Hall is trying to make prominent interest groups happy. “It will go on the ballot,” Sanderson says. “We’re not waiting to find out if the Portland Business Alliance is going to be on one side or the other.” On Dec. 29, Novick unveiled his latest version of the street fee, based on household income and estimated gasoline consumption. He’s also talking about proposing an income tax.

1. The American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon is looking for a new leader. Executive director Dave Fidanque has announced he will retire in March after 33 years with the ACLU, including 21 as state director. ACLU Oregon board president Jennifer Middleton praised Fidanque for changing the state’s “civil rights landscape.” She notes that when Fidanque took over, the Oregon Citizens Alliance was pushing local and statewide ballot measures to limit gay rights. “He immediately committed resources to challenging those measures in the courts, in the Legislature and at the ballot box,” Middleton said in a statement. “The ACLU has never let up on its efforts working as a key partner with the LGBT community, including its work to help achieve the freedom to marry for same-sex couples this year.”

1. WW’s Give!Guide is closing with a rush. Will G!G reach its goal of $2.6 million? The opportunity to give to 136 worthy nonprofits through giveguide.org ends after 11:59 pm on Dec. 31. Tune in to the website and watch the last-minute donations come in. Better yet, join the giving. Unofficial results will be posted Jan. 1, 2015. Check ’em out!

WWeek 2015