Brent Barton goes missing on critical CRC vote

Oregon City, OR – Clackamas County Republicans yesterday raised questions about the absence of Rep. Brent Barton (D-Oregon City) on a key vote to authorize the $3 Billion Columbia River Crossing project.  Considering the project’s significance to ClackamasCounty, Republicans say House District 40 citizens have a right to know why Barton wasn’t at the Capitol to represent them.

“The Columbia River Crossing project will have a big impact on transportation and development in ClackamasCounty, yet Brent Barton was nowhere to be found,” said Clackamas County Republican Chairman John Lee.  “Barton’s absence on the CRC vote raises questions about who he actually represents. It’s unfortunate that Barton’s big-money law firm is a higher priority than his constituents.”

Republicans also questioned Barton’s priorities. Despite campaigning on job creation and school funding, they say he’s done nothing to help small businesses or pass real PERS reform to put more dollars in the classroom.

“Brent Barton likes to talk about the special interests that control Salem, but he’s shown unwillingness to buck the public employee unions that have funded his campaigns,” Lee said.  “Barton is AWOL on PERS reform, school funding and economic development.  House District 40 residents deserve more than a foot soldier for Democratic leaders and public unions, when he decides to show up for work.”