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For Immediate Release |
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Take the Money and Run PORTLAND — While day four of the Senate Republican hideout drags on, the campaign apparatus of the Senate GOP has been quietly accepting donations during the 2019 Session. As reported by The Oregonian earlier this week, while many Democratic senators refrain from accepting campaign contributions during the legislative session and the House has a rule against it, the Senate Republicans’ political action committee has continued fundraising. Since the start of the 2019 Session, Oregon Senate Republicans have accepted $48,549. Monied interests that have donated to the Leadership Fund this session include Retriever Towing/Speed’s Towing owner Gary Coe and former ESCO CEO Hank Swigert. “Oregon Senate Republicans are holding up a vote on $2 billion in new funding for our students by literally hiding from their responsibilities,” said K.C. Hanson, Chair of the Democratic Party of Oregon. “Meanwhile they clearly have no qualms in accepting campaign donations from wealthy business owners and big polluters.” Since the GOP disappearing act begin on May 7th, Senate Republican members have been paid a daily per diem of $144. With members missing for four days, Oregonians are now out more than $6,000 and legislative business has ground to a halt on the Senate floor. “While our kids are sitting in overcrowded classrooms, Senate Republicans are on vacation, getting paid for a job they aren’t showing up for,” said Hanson. “Quite simply, the Senate Republicans are shirking the duties they swore to uphold when they took the oath of office. Oregonians are fed up with these antics.” Oregon Senate Republicans have been off the job since Tuesday, preventing a quorum and delaying a vote on the Student Success Act, legislation that will make a game-changing reinvestment in Oregon classrooms. ### |
