News
2007-04-26
Lesbian lobbyist
accused of violating state house rules in Oregon
Controversy arose
Monday in the Oregon state house when a lesbian
lobbyist sat with her partner, state representative T
Controversy arose
Monday in the Oregon state house when a lesbian
lobbyist sat with her partner, state representative Tina
Kotek, at her desk on the house floor last week during
a lengthy debate about gay rights, reports the
Associated Press.
Kotek and
lobbyist Aimee Wilson sat together as the house passed bills
granting LGBT couples the benefits of marriage.
Additionally, the bills call for an outlawing
discrimination based on sexual preference.
Once the bills
were passed, Kotek kissed Wilson on the cheek.
However, the
house Republican leader, Wayne Scott, was angered by
Wilson's presence on the house floor because he said it
violated house rules that does not permit lobbyists to
be there while the chamber is in session.
"Registered
lobbyists should not have access to the house floor,
regardless of the circumstances," Scott, house minority
leader, told the AP. "I consider any violation of the
rules of the house to be a very serious matter."
"I was acting in
that capacity as her spouse," Wilson said. "I just
have to wonder whether this is about really protecting the
process or if this is really about the issue at hand."
As reported by
the AP, Scott has asked House Speaker Jeff Merkley and the
house chief clerk's office to further investigate the
incident. (The Advocate)
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