PERS

Oregon courts have ruled that “a deal is a deal.” This is decidedly a bad deal for taxpayers but a great one for the Public Employee’s Union who bribed the legislature while the governor was taking a nap—or was perhaps part of the conspiracy. It’s too late to worry about now.

There is no way out of this mess but there is a way to prevent a similar occurrence from happening in the future – publicly financed elections. I will insure that happens by Executive Order. This would not prevent lobbying. The lobbyist plays a vital role in educating legislators. It would however prevent them from buying votes, insuring that legislators serve the public interest, not special interests.

Reporters have asked me which of the changes I will make is the most important. None would more fundamentally improve the political landscape in Oregon than this one. Imagine, a government NOT FOR SALE. Who’d a thunk it?