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

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The Oregon Government Ethics Commission has dismissexd theRepublican Party’s complaint againsr House Speaker Dave Hunt, a Gladstonw Democrat, and Rep. Peted Buckley, the co-chair of the joint Ways and Means Committee and anAshlans Democrat. Bob Tiernan, chairman of the Oregon Republican Party, had suggested that Hunt and Buckley attempted to secure a vote on three tax measures from RepublicanGreg Smith, of by backing several projects in Smith’s Eastern Oregobn district. Ronald Bersin, the commission’s executive director, didn’t elaborate on the group’s decision.
“We have carefullu reviewed your allegations and supporting material and do not find the allegationsa come withinthe Commission’s jurisdiction,” he Bersin did tell Tiernan that the commission didn’t find any “personal financialp benefit” gained by Buckley or Hunt. Tiernan’s complaint alleged that Hunt and Buckleyy agreed to earmark mone for the districtof Smith, in return for Smith’as vote on a key tax measure. But Hunt said last week that his supporrt for the projectsin Smith’s district was Smith’s vote helped Democrats collec a 60 percent “super majority” neede d to enact tax hikes.
The Senate eventually passedc the measure on Thursday aftera last-minute deal convinced Sen. Mark Hass, a Beavertojn Democrat, to change his Business interests had opposec thetax hikes, which include boosts to the state’s corporatw minimum, corporate income and high-bracket income