The Oregon Joint Committee on Oversight and Accountability held its first meeting June 1. Members of the Oregon Legislature and members of the public were invited to bring their experiences and observations related to state government and where it requires greater oversight.

Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp (R-Bend) lead the meeting, and said, “In light of multiple ongoing corruption scandals, we sent a letter to President Wagner and Speaker Rayfield in April requesting the creation of this committee. Democrats were extended three separate invitations to join us. All went unanswered. Republican and Independent members will utilize our own resources to conduct committee meetings until Presiding Officers deem accountability and oversight worthy of their attention, time, and nonpartisan staff. President Wagner has frequently applauded the Oregon Legislature’s rigorous committee process. Our hope is that he and other Democrat leaders see the value in this committee and agree to fully resource it.”

The letter requesting formation of the committee, emphasized, “The OLCC’s actions have been greatly covered in the news over the past several months, with several allegations leading the public to believe this agency is corrupt. We must resolve these issues with full transparency… We understand that in certain instances, investigations are being conducted by the Department of Justice. This is not sufficient. We must provide the standard of oversight and accountability that our Constitution and the people of Oregon expect.”

The first meeting was mostly organizational with the adoption of committee rules and an informational presentation by Reagan Knopp, staffing the committee with Russ Walker, described a website in the making.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

“We must hold our state government to a higher standard of transparency. House Republicans are committed to holding state agencies accountable. Last night we began this important work,” said House Republican Leader Vikki Breese-Iverson (R-Prineville).

Also serving on the committee is Senate Independent Leader Brian Boquist (I-Dallas), Representative Greg Smith (R-Heppner), Representative E. Werner Reschke (R-Klamath Falls), and Senator Dick Anderson (R-Lincoln City). There are three vacant seats for House Democrats, and three vacant seats for Senate Democrats.

Each member and visiting legislators expressed the need for transparency in government and engage with the public that have observed matters needing investigation. Even though Democrat legislators chose not to show up, their public represented them venting their frustration over the walkout. None spoke to the agenda, or on the issue of accountability for the Senate being conducted in violation of the constitution and statutes, or why the state should give minors full consent over their medical treatments without parents’ knowledge. They all had the same script – it’s your job to show up to work.

If you would like to submit an anonymous tip on government corruption, call our tipline at 541-213-0201. To view a live stream of the meeting go here. [Democrat leaders removed the video.]


--Donna Bleiler

Post Date: 2023-06-02 19:14:44

Last Update: 2023-06-05 12:31:58