NEW: GOP Calls To Push Back Clean Fuel Bill After Hayes Disclosures

Friday, January 30, 2015
Joanna Evoniuk, GoLocalPDX Contributor

Republican legislative leaders called for House Speaker Tina Kotek and Senate President Peter Courtney to suspend discussion of Low Carbon Fuel Standards on the session calendar, in light of allegations Cyliva Hayes received an $118,000 payment for promoting the policy for Oregon.

The legislation, SB 324, would keep Oregon's Low Carbon Fuel Standards in place instead of expiring in 2015. 

After a press conference by Governor Kitzhaber, House Republican Leader Mike McLane said in a media statement Kitzhaber indicated the Ethics Commission will answer if Cylvia Hayes violated the law by receiving payment from private interests to advocate the policy to the Governor.

“Ms. Hayes received payments to influence the Governor on, among other things, the Low Carbon Fuel Standard program overseen by the Department of Environmental Quality,” McLane said. “Due to the investigations on the conflict of interest and the many unanswered questions that remain, SB 324 can no longer be evaluated on merit alone.

"Therefore, the Legislature must suspend our work on SB 324 until the Ethics Commission's work and all investigations are completed.”

This week Democrat leadership has indicated they plan to go ahead with a vote on Low Carbon Fuel Standards early in the session, with a public hearing for the proposed legislation on Monday, Feb. 2, according to a press release from the House and Senate Republican offices. The release said the rushed legislation raised questions about the involvement of former legislators and clients who would benefit from the policy.

“For the Democrats to run this bill right at the start of session is irresponsible and harmful to Oregon families, given the cloud of secrecy surrounding its conception and advocacy,” said Senator Ted Ferrioli, the Senate Republican Leader. “The Legislature should be focused on the priorities that matter to Oregon taxpayers, including a transportation package that improves public safety and infrastructure for all Oregonians.

"Democrats should know that moving forward with a party-line vote on the Low Carbon Fuel Standard will affect any future opportunities for bipartisan cooperation throughout session.”