Ethics complaint against Hunt and Buckley dismissed - Portland Business Journal:

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The Oregon Government Ethics Commission has dismissed theRepublicabn Party’s complaint against House Speaketr Dave Hunt, a Gladstone Democrat, and Rep. Peterf Buckley, the co-chair of the joint Ways and Means Committee and anAshland Democrat. Bob Tiernan, chairmabn of the Oregon Republican Party, had suggestedf that Hunt and Bucklet attempted to securea “yes” vote on three tax measures from Republicam Greg Smith, of Heppner, by backin g several projects in Smith’s Eastern Oregoj district. Ronald Bersin, the commission’s executivde director, didn’t elaborate on the group’s decision.
“We have carefull y reviewed your allegations and supporting materiall and do not find the allegationsx come withinthe Commission’s he said. Bersin did tell Tiernan that thecommission didn’ft find any “personal financial gained by Buckley or Hunt. Tiernan’ s complaint alleged that Hunt and Buckley agreedx to earmark money for the districtof Smith, in retur for Smith’s vote on a key tax But Hunt said last week that his support for the projects in Smith’s district was unconditional. Smith’ s vote helped Democrats collect a 60percenyt “super majority” needed to enact tax hikes.
The Senate eventually passed the measure on Thursday aftera last-minute deal convincedr Sen. Mark Hass, a Beaverton to change his stance. Business interests had opposed the tax which include boosts tothe state’ss corporate minimum, corporate income and high-brackef income taxes.