Rep. Drazan: Kotek over-reaches authority with public works order

KOTEK PICKS WINNERS AND LOSERS, OVERREACHES EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY, WITH NEW PUBLIC WORKS EXECUTIVE ORDER
By Oregon House Leader Christine Drazan,

SALEM, Ore. – Today, House Republicans leaders criticized Governor Tina Kotek’s overreach of executive power with Executive Order 24-31, while affirming their support for apprenticeships and workforce development.

“Governor Kotek’s short-sighted leadership picks winners and losers and abuses the role of the executive branch by inappropriately sidelining the legislature,” said House Republican Leader Christine Drazan (R-Canby).

“House Republicans are committed to increasing apprenticeship opportunities and developing Oregon’s workforce, but the Governor’s out-of-touch approach adds layers of bureaucracy that increase costs while reducing opportunities for hardworking Oregonians,” added Drazan. “Oregon’s leaders should do all we can to follow existing laws that protect fair competition while providing the highest quality workmanship with public funds,” concluded Drazan

The executive order raises questions as to whether Governor Kotek has the legal authority under ORS 279A.015(5) to implement this executive order.

“l appreciate that Oregon law explicitly confirms our commitment to open and fair competition in statute, giving Oregon’s small and emerging businesses an opportunity to work on public projects,” said Co- Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation, Rep. Shelly Boshart Davis (R-Albany).

“It is critical that Oregon continues its commitment to these principles in all projects in our state,” added Boshart Davis. She concludes by stating that “Governor Kotek’s executive order systematically denies BIPOC and women owned open shop small businesses and contractors of these opportunities.”