Latest news with #OregonGovernmentEthicsCommission
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Oregon Sen. Lisa Reynolds mulls conflict of interest declaration after ethics report
Sen. Lisa Reynolds sought clarity from the state's top ethics watchdog over whether a health care bill she authored would pose a substantial conflict of interest. (Rian Dundon/Oregon Capital Chronicle) Oregon's statewide ethics watchdog on Thursday referred a Portland-area lawmaker to the Legislature for clarity over whether a bill she authored that could benefit her medical practice raises a substantial conflict of interest. The Oregon Government Ethics Commission said Sen. Lisa Reynolds' decisions regarding votes and bill introductions were within the purview of the Legislature and its legal counsel, according to a Thursday letter written by Susan Myers, the commission's executive director. Introduced in January, Senate Bill 28 would mandate commercial insurers reimburse independent primary care clinics at rates equal to those of clinics owned by hospital systems. In the letter, Myers said that Reynolds, D-Portland, 'would be met with a conflict of interest' unless she is able to receive a class exception. The rule is traditionally adjudicated by the commission, determining whether an official action by a public official would impact all members of a 'class,' such as business owners or members of a particular industry, equally. But it's up to the Legislature, not the Commission, to decide whether the exception applies because the matter 'relates to the performance of legislative functions,' Myers wrote. Lawmakers are allowed to cast votes and perform legislative tasks under Oregon's 'speech and debate' rules for public officials even when they do declare conflicts of interest. Reynolds told the Capital Chronicle she hasn't decided whether she will seek further advice. She said that she will consult with her staff and tends 'to err on the side of caution.' 'I'll see going forward,' she said. 'It would be interesting to note the votes I've taken. For example, the provider tax which funds Medicaid — do I have to say that's a conflict of interest because my clinic takes Medicaid? I don't think so.' The advice follows a request from the commission in a May 6 letter written by her chief of staff, Christopher McMorran, a day before the Oregon Journalism Project ran a story in which Reynolds said she was open to seeking the ethics' commissions advice and declaring a conflict of interest. McMorran sought information about potential conflicts of interest because of Reynolds' job as a primary care provider at The Children's Clinic, an independent clinic in the Portland region. 'SB 28 would likely result in a financial gain for her clinic, along with all other independent primary care clinics in the state,' he wrote to the commission. 'We are curious if her introducing, sponsoring and supporting this bill qualifies as a conflict of interest or if she would be considered a member of a class and be exempt from conflict of interest laws.' Reynolds said the advice was 'reassuring' and that she believes she would likely qualify for a class exemption. 'I'm a citizen legislator. My day job is that of a pediatrician. In fact, I was in the clinic all last weekend,' she said. 'I still see patients and I actually ran as Dr. Lisa Reynolds. I ran for office leaning into the fact that I am a physician and it informs all that I do in the Legislature.' Her legislation is currently sitting in the Joint Ways and Means Committee. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ethics watchdogs assess claims that Kotek's office committed ‘minor' spending violations
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The Oregon Government Ethics Commission is compiling further information on claims that some transactions from Gov. Tina Kotek's office could have violated state law. During a meeting on Friday, commission members voted for Executive Director Susan Myers to gather more facts about the allegations before the agency chooses to potentially open a case against the governor's office or write an advisory letter to prevent other incidents. Wyden calls Trump's firing of government watchdogs a 'midnight massacre' The discussion was prompted by a letter that former Oregon Deputy Secretary of State Cheryl Myers sent to Kotek on Jan. 2, which earlier this month. According to Myers, the Secretary of State Audits Division identified potential spending issues while looking into claims that the governor had misused resources in an attempt to form an Office of the First Spouse. While the state watchdogs eventually investigating the matter, after the governor to form the new office, they determined officials could have violated Oregon Revised Statute 244.040. The infraction occurs 'when a public official obtains financial gain, or avoids financial detriment' due to their role as a state official. 'We believe the potential violations are minor, and these instances were unintentional, in that the public officials involved may not have been aware of the technical requirements of state ethics law,' Myers wrote. 'Furthermore, we recognize there may be valid business reasons for the transactions even if they potentially violate ORS 244.' She said investigators specifically assessed and searched for accounting records between January 2023 and April 2024 that showed transactions that wouldn't typically be covered by the state, such as 'prizes and awards' and 'tickets.' Auditors found that the Governor's Office paid $65 monthly for one public official's parking in Salem, and $315 monthly for another official's parking in Washington, D.C. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now In a statement sent to KOIN 6 on Monday, Kotek's office said the Salem spot 'was under the advisement of the Dignitary Protection Unit (DPU) of the Oregon State Police. It is consistent with past practice to reserve one parking space for the Governor.' Officials added that the validity of the D.C parking space is still under review. State auditors also determined that Kotek's office paid $615 for tickets to four entertainment events where it was unclear who attended the event or it was unclear whether the attendee was performing their official duties. The office told KOIN 6 the First Family personally covered two of these tickets, and the state paid for tickets to the other 'official' events. According to the letter, the most costly violation occurred during a dinner reception at Mahonia Hall in August 2023. Around 180 people, including public employees and their families, attended the reception where the buffet-style meal cost $9,330 in total. The event aimed to recognize the work of staff who serve the Governor's Office, Department of Administrative Services and Oregon State Police Dignitary Protection Unit. Myers said it was 'unclear' which officials ate the provided meal. ICE raid 'rumors can be really damaging' in Oregon In an email, the governor's office said it disagrees with the 'characterization of the refreshments provided' at the reception. 'The refreshments, which were catered by a local vendor, were consistent with long standing catering practices by past Governor's Offices,' a spokesperson said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
