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Legislative Report 4-05
March 18, 2005
Second-Guessing the Governor
Public involvement has been a tradition throughout the history of government
in our State. For example, Oregon was the first State to adopt public
meetings and public records laws. And we were the first state to provide a
Constitutional right to the initiative and referendum.
Although accurate information is difficult to obtain, it is also likely that
Oregon has more citizen boards and commissions – over 200 – than any other
state. Each of these boards consists of between five and seven members who
typically serve four-year terms and are responsible for providing direction
and oversight to such Oregon administrative agencies as the Department of
Education, the Lottery Commission, and the Fish and Wildlife Commission,
among many others. By and large Oregonians who volunteer to serve on these
boards and commissions do a fine job and they only receive payment for their
out-of-pocket expenses.
When a vacancy occurs on a State board or commission, the Governor is
responsible for appointing an individual to fill that vacancy and in most
instances the State Senate is charged with formally confirming the
Governor’s selection. Most appointments are confirmed without much fanfare.
However a recent nomination created a significant amount of controversy
resulting in the nominee withdrawing his name from further consideration.
Which raises an interesting philosophical and political question. Should the
Governor, who is the elected head of the Executive Branch of government, be
allowed to select who is to serve on agency commissions?
Most Oregonians probably do not give a great deal of consideration to the
executive appointments process when choosing who to elect as Governor, but
it is a very important part of the job. The confirmation process is also a
very important role I play as a member of the Oregon Senate. What criteria
should I, as a member of the Legislative Branch, use to vote to support or
deny confirmation? The Governor is certainly entitled to nominate whoever he
prefers and I will make every effort to accommodate and support that choice.
I will, however, oppose confirming any individual who I feel is not
qualified or who I feel does not reflect the views of the people I
represent.
The Governor’s job is to manage the Executive Branch. My job is to ensure
that the interests of Senate District 16 are adequately considered in the
Governor’s appointments.
As always, I look forward to hearing your comments.
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