Post by Logan on Jul 8, 2016 23:37:52 GMT -6
Three Oregon lawmakers avoid ethics complaint over wolf delisting bill
PORTLAND (AP) — Three Oregon lawmakers have avoided a possible state investigation into whether they knowingly misled their colleagues earlier this year in Salem about the intent of House Bill 4040, the controversial so-called wolf delisting bill.
The discord stems from the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission’s November delisting of the gray wolf as endangered and the Legislature’s subsequent creation of HB 4040 to block wildlife advocates’ lawsuit against the state. The lawsuit, which asks for a judicial review of the delisting decision, was reinstated this week after being dismissed in April on grounds of mootness by HB 4040.
State Reps. Sal Esquivel, Greg Barreto and Brad Witt initially told their House colleagues in February that the bill — which upholds the delisting decision into state law — would not, nor was it intended to, impact any litigation or request for review. The discussion changed when the bill advanced to the Senate, where lawmakers openly debated their potential meddling in legal matters.
The case was dismissed on grounds of mootness by HB 4040 in April — but was reinstated on Tuesday — and Eugene-based plaintiff Cascadia Wildlands filed complaints the next month with the Oregon Government Ethics Commission against the three lawmakers for their statements. The group says they broke a state ethics law banning lobbyists and public officials from knowingly making false or misleading statements to other public officials.
Read more: www.columbian.com/news/2016/jul/08/three-oregon-lawmakers-avoid-ethics-complaint-over-wolf-delisting-bill/
PORTLAND (AP) — Three Oregon lawmakers have avoided a possible state investigation into whether they knowingly misled their colleagues earlier this year in Salem about the intent of House Bill 4040, the controversial so-called wolf delisting bill.
The discord stems from the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission’s November delisting of the gray wolf as endangered and the Legislature’s subsequent creation of HB 4040 to block wildlife advocates’ lawsuit against the state. The lawsuit, which asks for a judicial review of the delisting decision, was reinstated this week after being dismissed in April on grounds of mootness by HB 4040.
State Reps. Sal Esquivel, Greg Barreto and Brad Witt initially told their House colleagues in February that the bill — which upholds the delisting decision into state law — would not, nor was it intended to, impact any litigation or request for review. The discussion changed when the bill advanced to the Senate, where lawmakers openly debated their potential meddling in legal matters.
The case was dismissed on grounds of mootness by HB 4040 in April — but was reinstated on Tuesday — and Eugene-based plaintiff Cascadia Wildlands filed complaints the next month with the Oregon Government Ethics Commission against the three lawmakers for their statements. The group says they broke a state ethics law banning lobbyists and public officials from knowingly making false or misleading statements to other public officials.
Read more: www.columbian.com/news/2016/jul/08/three-oregon-lawmakers-avoid-ethics-complaint-over-wolf-delisting-bill/