No, Sen. Finley, we do not ALL support the GOP boycott!

According to a story in the June 3 Baker City Herald, State Senator Lynn Findley says that almost all the constituents who have contacted him support his participation in the Oregon GOP senatorial walkout.

To quote from the story: “I’ve been hearing from a lot of folks, and with four or five exceptions all of the responses are encouraging me to do what I’m doing,” said Findley, the senator from Vale whose district includes Baker County.

Since redistricting, Findley also represents Crook County. So far, I haven’t seen hide nor hair of him in Prineville — nor has he responded to my correspondence. He was appointed to the senate in January of 2020, subsequently being elected in November of that year. Crook County residents have had no say in his election and won’t until next year.

Again, quoting the Senator: “I don’t care what people in the Willamette Valley think,” he said. “I’m concerned about the residents of my district.”

Does he care what Crook County thinks? What about the rest of his newly acquired district?

If Sen. Findley doesn’t like a bill, then he should show up for work, express his concerns on the floor of the Senate and then vote against it if that’s what he thinks is the right thing to do. The wrong thing to do is what he’s doing — nothing during floor sessions!

Apparently, the GOP senators who are holding up all business in the Senate feel that there will be no repercussions to their actions. Oregon voters passed a measure that disqualifies lawmakers with 10 or more absences from running for reelection. I guess the Republicans think they can take this to court and overturn the will of the people to keep their jobs. Or maybe they don’t care if they hold office again.

Get back to work, Sen. Findley, and represent ALL of your constituents!

Priscilla Smith

Prineville