Kotek’s $9,330 taco party is just the start …

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek’s $9,330 taco party.
By Taxpayers Association of Oregon
OregonWatchdog.com

Under liberal dominance, Oregon is entering a new age of government partying at your expense.

When Governor Tina Kotek was faulted by state auditors for throwing a $9,330 taco-tostada party for government employees, her office responded by saying that the party is what all the governors did — so it is OK — despite violating state law.

Same with throwing her wife a $200,000 conference at taxpayers expense to only serve 28 actual guests.

At the same time these events made headlines, so did the news that the Oregon Forestry Department executives held a retreat at a Bend luxury resort, Brasada Ranch, which charges $428/night and features hot tubs in every shared guest cabin.  The State Forester soon resigned.

OLCC manager was hospitalized for alcohol poisoning after over-drinking at a national liquor conference.

It has been this way for a long time.  An Oregon Education Audit revealed a $13,000 government retirement party on a boat. In 2019, Portland Public Schools spent $13,000 for a group retirement party aboard a boat that included $1,068 for flowers shipped from Hawaii and $1,700 spent on crystal appreciation giveaway gifts.

Now the 2025 Legislature wants to join the party:

• HB 3595 gives free paid holiday for government workers on Lunar New Years.

• SB 489 pays school staff (teacher assistants, bus drivers) to NOT WORK during summer break.

• SB 916 pays benefits to people who leave work to strike.

Even local governments are in on the action:

• Washington County Clean Water Services CEO, Diane Taniguchi-Dennis, has been attending conferences in Hawaii, staying at five-star hotels and enjoying expensive meals funded by ratepayers.

• Portland Police Deputy Administrator for Public Safety earns $277,000 a year, works remotely from Vegas.

WHAT GOVERNMENT PARTY ON TAX DIME DID WE MISS???  EMAIL US

— Help us spread the word about government partying with your tax dollars!  Contribute online at OregonWatchdog.com (learn about a Charitable Tax Deduction or Political Tax Credit options to promote liberty).

(Source: Oregon Education Audit 1/2019)