SALEM, Ore. — Oregon is one of only five states to have absolutely no limits on how much money can be donated to political campaigns.

Former Independent Party gubernatorial nominee Patrick Starnes writes that the word "unlimited" does not belong in any bill about campaign finance reform. He urges Oregonians to contact state senators to add caps to HB 2714.

Oregon is one of only five states to have absolutely no limits on how much money can be donated to political campaigns. But lawmakers took a step to change that Thursday, when the House passed a measure approving the state's first campaign contribution limits in decades. The proposal caps contributions to House and Senate candidates at $1,000 and $1,500, respectively. Contributions to all other statewide candidates would be capped at $2,800.

The Oregon House passed a trio of campaign finance reform bills Thursday, including one bringing the state a step closer to limiting contributions.

The limits would give Oregon its first controls on campaign money in more than two decades.

A new Washington law attempts to tamp down the so-called gray money that funnels from one political action committee to the next on its way to election-year advertisements.

Newly released records show Gov. Kate Brown’s state staff shifted into overdrive to lay out her policy positions — and accomplishments — on education and other central campaign issues as the governor was running for re-election last year.

After serving three terms as a Republican, former state Rep. Jim Thompson says he is looking at running for his old House seat as an Independent.

Siltronic Corp. spent $2 million on water and $1.4 million on sewer services in the past fiscal year. Not coincidentally, the company has contributed $55,000 in campaign donations toward a ballot measure that would end the City Council's grasp over utility rates.

The Oregon law dealing with ethics itself raises ethical questions.

Oregon's lack of campaign finance restrictions means legislators can give as much money to each other's campaigns as they like. And they have.

Political parties and open primaries are the electoral equivalent of oil and water.