Campaign Funds used for day-to-day expenses

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”