Total recall (eventually)
Our gal Karen just remembered another one. And I notice that our man Jeff just decided that he can put on a different hat when he goes to Israel on the lobbyist's dime, and then Jeff's not Jeff.
Sometimes I wish that some of these folks would take a one-way trip overseas. They are truly poster children for term limits.
No corruption in Oregon, though, folks -- everything out here's just a-ska-weeky clean! Hardy's on the case.
| Posted at 9:10 AM | Permalink |
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Comments (8)
Yeah... I'd say recall, too.
But then, an election is in offing. A chance to exercise those already existing term limits.
Posted by godfry | October 18, 2006 11:16 AM
Regarding Merkley... There's one bit of critical information that the Oregonian left out: He cleared the trip with the ethics board. He has a letter from them unambiguously stating that he didn't need to report it.
Remember that a citizen legislature means people have day jobs. If you're a legislator who happens to also work as, say, a tax law professor - any trips you would take to tax law conferences are in that context, not the context of being a legislator.
Jeff Merkley is a very ethical person. Frankly, almost kind of annoyingly and overbearingly ethical. But that's a good thing for Oregon.
(Full disclosure: I built JeffMerkley.com and OregonHouseDemocrats.com, but I speak only for myself.)
Posted by Kari Chisholm | October 18, 2006 11:38 AM
He cleared the trip with the ethics board. He has a letter from them unambiguously stating that he didn't need to report it.
Who cares? What sleaze.
If you're a state rep. and a beer and wine distributor lobbyist pays your way to go somewhere, you report it. Period.
Posted by Jack Bog | October 18, 2006 11:41 AM
He has a letter from them unambiguously stating that he didn't need to report it.
Sort-of like a "get out of jail free card?"
Posted by Jon | October 18, 2006 4:52 PM
Remember that a citizen legislature means people have day jobs. If you're a legislator who happens to also work as, say, a tax law professor - any trips you would take to tax law conferences are in that context, not the context of being a legislator.
Sorry, but its not the hat you wear on the trip, its who paid for the trip.
Posted by Jon | October 18, 2006 4:54 PM
"Jeff Merkley is a very ethical person. Frankly, almost kind of annoyingly and overbearingly ethical."
The kind who see the ethical lapses of everyone else but have a blind spot for their own.
Posted by Arne S. | October 18, 2006 6:30 PM
In fact, the "rules" say it's OK for someone like Metsger to be paid as an employee of the lobbyist, get their expenses plus paid to go to Maui...as long as he's not there as a legislator.
He's only there "training" legislators on how to build relationships and have influence.
I'm a dem, and I'd probably vote for these guys --as I'll probably vote for Mr K-- but, geez...don't these guys get it?
Posted by Frank Dufay | October 18, 2006 6:34 PM
get their expenses plus paid to go to Maui...
Sorry. Meant to have there...without having to report it. As he, of course, didn't.
As Mr. Natural used to say: "Is dis a system?
Posted by Frank Dufay | October 18, 2006 6:42 PM