Facing large time commitments and small salaries, some Oregon legislators turn to campaign contributions to fill the gap between their job demands and their pay.
During last year’s six-month legislative session, for example, the state paid lawmakers $26,000 each in salary and expense money. At the same time, Rep. Mike Schaufler, D-Happy Valley, spent an additional $12,000 from his campaign account.
The spending had more to do with the Clackamas County Democrat’s living expenses as a legislator than campaigning. Most of the campaign dollars paid for gasoline for his truck, renting part of his house as an office, staying 36 nights in a Salem hotel, plus meals, beer and coffee.
“See Oregonian article here”