Yesterday we noted that Willy Week was giving Brad Avakian, Oregon labor commissioner and candidate for David Wu's vacated congressional seat, a hard time over his bad personal credit rating. Not to be outdone, before the day was over Oregonian political columnist Jeff Mapes jumped in with an even nastier criticism: Avakian is spending around 70% of his working day campaigning for Congress rather than tending to the state's business as secretary of state labor commissioner.
If we're not mistaken, that's a major, major no-no with Oregon voters.
And to make matters worse, Avakian's supporters are popping up around the web and saying, "Come on -- he's only making $72,000 a year in the state job. He's entitled to work only part-time." When you're in a hole, peeps, by all means, stop digging!
One of most dangerous ethical fallacies is "I've got it coming to me." It's right up there with "Everybody's doing it," "Nobody has to know," and "It doesn't hurt anyone." Great words to go to jail by.
Avakian had better hope he gets elected to Congress. Because he could have a difficult time getting re-elected as labor commissioner.
Comments (11)
Kate Brown is Secretary of State. She spends 70% of her day helping Democratic candidates get elected.
Jack, their are at least two dozen women that can lay claim to that statement.
"Poked By Jeff" in the Portland Metro area, back in the good old days of the early 1980's.
The low salary in question is not the Labor Commissioner's $72,000, but the part-time wages of less than $22,000 that he earned during the six years (2002- 2008) he served in the Oregon State Legislature. It’s ridiculous to keep state legislators on poverty wages. This invites them either going into debt or finding some deep pockets to dip from. Avakian went into debt (and not even big debt).
We’re a grown-up state now. We need a full-time annual legislature, and legislators should be paid enough money to keep them solvent and- if they have it in them-- honest.
As for his approaching lobbyists for jobs-- he says he sent out resumes to EVERYONE. He was not soliciting a specific agency, nor for a specific job. I see no ethical breach there.
As to the complaints that he is spending many of his daytime hours campaigning-- I will take them seriously when he has been shown to be derelict in specific duties as Labor Commissioner. He says he’s been working double-time. I see no reason to disbelieve him.
Oh geez. Here we go again with the "poverty wages" for our poor state legislators b.s.
Besides the fact that what they have IS a part-time job (especially when you factor out the time they spend running for re-election), let's not forget all the perks and benefits that come with the position and should count as compensation: untaxed per diems, mileage expenses, PERS, family health ins, nepotism, phone and office expenses, etc.
Not the least of which is being able to double-dip into their campaign coffers for things for which they already are being reimbursed by taxpayers.
Charamba, Douro 2008
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Lorelle, Horse Heaven Hills Pinot Grigio 2011
Avignonesi, Montepulciano 2004
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Villa Antinori, Toscana 2007
Mercedes Eguren, Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Lorelle, Columbia Valley Cabernet 2011
Purple Moon, Merlot 2011
Purple Moon, Chardonnnay 2011
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Opula Red Blend 2010
Liberte, Pinot Noir 2010
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La Vielle Ferme, Rose 2011
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Buenas Ondas, Syrah Rose 2010
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Conundrum 2012
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Atalaya do Mar, Godello 2010
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La Bourgeoisie, Red 2009
Januik, Red 2009
Three Rivers, River's Red 2008
Kirkland, Alexander Valley Merlot 2008
Muga, Rioja Rose 2010
Quinta das Amoras, Vinho Tinto 2009
Mauro Molino, Barbera d'Alba 2009
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La Granja 360, Syrah 2009
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Kirkland, Pinot Grigio 2010
Trader Joe's Coastal Syrah 2009
Columbia Crest, Horse Heaven Hills Merlot 2008
Trader Joe's Coastal Chardonnay 2009
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Santa Rita, Cabernet, Medalla Real 2007
Penfold's, Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet 2008
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Laforet, Burgogne Chardonnay 2009
Columbia Winery, Merlot 2007
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Maquis Lien 2006
Scott Paul, Pinot Noir, Le Paulee 2007
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Penda Diakité - I Lost My Tooth in Africa
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David Sedaris - Me Talk Pretty One Day
Karen Armstrong - The Spiral Staircase
Charles Larson - The Portland Murders
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William H. Colby - Long Goodbye
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Phil Stanford - Portland Confidential
Rick Moody - Garden State
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David Sedaris - Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim
Anthony Holden - Big Deal
Robert J. Spitzer - The Spirit of Leadership
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Jeff Noon - Vurt
Road Work
Miles run year to date: 29
At this date last year: 66
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Comments (11)
Kate Brown is Secretary of State. She spends 70% of her day helping Democratic candidates get elected.
Posted by Garage Wine | September 15, 2011 6:55 AM
Jack, their are at least two dozen women that can lay claim to that statement.
"Poked By Jeff" in the Portland Metro area, back in the good old days of the early 1980's.
Posted by Jeff | September 15, 2011 7:36 AM
Isn't Avakian the Labor Commish? Still, he shouldn't be collecting a salary for that while not doing the job, or the job should be part time.
Posted by NoPoGuy | September 15, 2011 7:46 AM
Yes, I don't think Avakian is being paid at all for the Secretary of State gig.
Posted by Allan L. | September 15, 2011 8:12 AM
Avakian is the Labor Commissioner, not Secretary of State.
Posted by Mindy | September 15, 2011 9:19 AM
Actually, Avakian and BOLI doing less would be a good thing. The guy is still a phony and a hypocrite for it, though.
Posted by dg | September 15, 2011 9:24 AM
"he's only making $72,000 a year in the state job. He's entitled to work only part-time."
Sorry, folks that only applies if you're a Mult County commissioner working 20hr/week.
Posted by Steve | September 15, 2011 9:58 AM
The low salary in question is not the Labor Commissioner's $72,000, but the part-time wages of less than $22,000 that he earned during the six years (2002- 2008) he served in the Oregon State Legislature. It’s ridiculous to keep state legislators on poverty wages. This invites them either going into debt or finding some deep pockets to dip from. Avakian went into debt (and not even big debt).
We’re a grown-up state now. We need a full-time annual legislature, and legislators should be paid enough money to keep them solvent and- if they have it in them-- honest.
As for his approaching lobbyists for jobs-- he says he sent out resumes to EVERYONE. He was not soliciting a specific agency, nor for a specific job. I see no ethical breach there.
As to the complaints that he is spending many of his daytime hours campaigning-- I will take them seriously when he has been shown to be derelict in specific duties as Labor Commissioner. He says he’s been working double-time. I see no reason to disbelieve him.
Posted by Bee | September 15, 2011 10:49 AM
If they are currently a politician they get ruled out as a viable candidate...
Posted by tankfixer | September 15, 2011 1:27 PM
Oh geez. Here we go again with the "poverty wages" for our poor state legislators b.s.
Besides the fact that what they have IS a part-time job (especially when you factor out the time they spend running for re-election), let's not forget all the perks and benefits that come with the position and should count as compensation: untaxed per diems, mileage expenses, PERS, family health ins, nepotism, phone and office expenses, etc.
Not the least of which is being able to double-dip into their campaign coffers for things for which they already are being reimbursed by taxpayers.
Posted by Ex-bartender | September 15, 2011 1:48 PM
"We need a full-time annual legislature"
Why? What the heck do they do during the regular sessions? They won't even address the budget until stuff blows up.
Posted by Steve | September 15, 2011 2:31 PM