Oregon's initiative process was designed to allow voters to directly shape policy according to the public interest. But the influence of massive campaign spending by political interest groups and wealthy individuals has left many Oregonians asking if the initiative process still serves the public good.

Tyrone Reitman and Elliot Shuford believe that the initiative process is a right that should be preserved for all Oregonians. Together, they promote an idea for innovative reform called the "Citizens' Initiative Review" or CIR.

Their Citizens' Initiative Review reform proposal is based on the potential of an impartial citizen jury to empower deliberative democracy. Voters, they assert, require access to high-quality information in order to better understand the issues, costs and complex consequences of each ballot measure under consideration so they can make informed decisions.

A CIR process would give voters a fair and trustworthy public review of each measure on the ballot and hold interest groups and big money campaigns – be they for or against a specific ballot measure – accountable during elections.

Reitman and Shuford discuss concerns about the current state of the initiative in Oregon and their proposal for meaningful initiative reform.

This program was coordinated by Jerry Diethelm.

Our first question will be asked by Sandra Bishop, board member of City Club of Eugene.