01.12.07
Cowan supports new House rules limiting gifts and travel
Newport News Times
State Representative Jean Cowan (D-Newport) supported efforts on Monday to set strict limits on gifts and travel for members of the House of Representatives. The ethics reform package, created with a bipartisan coalition, prohibits out-of-state travel and gifts of value worth more than $10.
“I appreciated that these common sense proposals were created from a lengthy bipartisan effort,” said Cowan. “These rule changes limit undue influence on the legislative process while recognizing the realities of working with individuals and constituent groups, limiting the gifts to tokens of small appreciation only.”
The new rules included a new provision requiring a 72-hour notice for all public meetings.
“Increasing the notice time for public notice will broaden opportunities for public input in the law-making process,” said Cowan.
Members of the House of Representatives will also be prohibited from accepting private restaurant meals from individuals, businesses, or organizations that have business before the Legislature.
Other rules adopted included public records retention guidelines, priority consideration for bipartisan bills, proportional representation on committees, and allowing any member to sign on as a sponsor of a bill without the permission of the Chief Sponsor.
“Many of these new rules will help Oregon restore faith in the Legislature and the Legislative process,” said Cowan. “The ethics reform efforts will tighten gift guidelines and limit undo influence from powerful lobby interests.”
Cowan is serving in her first term as State Representative for the Central Oregon Coast, including Lincoln, Lane, Yamhill, Polk, and Tillamook Counties. She will be serving on the House Veteran Affairs Committee, on the House Human Services & Women’s Wellness Committee, and as Vice-Chair of the Joint Emergency Preparedness & Ocean Policy Committee. Cowan served as a Lincoln County Commissioner from 1993-2004 and mayor of Elgin for two terms.
