Rep. Yunker: Flaws, faults of ethics report

Yunker Slams “Taxpayer-Funded Fishing Expedition” Over Floor Speech Investigation
By Oregon State Representative Dwayne Yunker:

GRANTS PASS, Ore. – Representative Dwayne Yunker (R–Grants Pass) today released the outside investigator’s report into ethics complaints filed against him for House floor speeches earlier this year, and blasted the entire process as “an expensive attempt to chill speech.”

“This investigation was launched not because anyone was harmed, but because someone didn’t like what I said on the House floor,” said Representative Yunker. “We are now setting the dangerous precedent that if you disagree with a legislator’s opinion, you can trigger a four-months-long taxpayer-funded investigation. That’s absurd.”

The outside investigator’s report, delivered this week, stems from complaints made after Representative Yunker’s March 17 and March 27 House floor speeches. One included reading from a book found in a public high school library to oppose SB 1098. The other criticized gender identity policies tied to HB 3014.

“I stand by every word I said,” said Representative Yunker. “I will never apologize for defending parental rights, biblical values, and basic facts.”

“According to public records, the Legislative Equity Officer is paid a salary of $227,844 plus benefits of $101,690, yet pays an outside investigator for four months to produce a report that is little more than a summary of four phone interviews,” said Representative Yunker. “This is a waste of taxpayer dollars and an abuse of process.”

Representative Yunker is renewing his call to the legislature’s Joint Committee on Conduct for a comprehensive review of the Legislative Equity Office, citing due process concerns, a lack of transparency, missed deadlines, and cost.