GOP lawmakers’ topless-bar visit sparks debate

Last week, it was reported that seven Republican Oregon House members went to a topless bar together.

Republican House Leader Kevin Cameron stepped down because of it.

But just what exactly can our state legislators do?

None of the House members were from our area, and NewsChannel 21 tried reaching some of our legislators for a comment, but they were unavailable.

As to the question of what exactly legislators can do outside of the office: the short answer is: whatever they please.

Before she was a state legislator representing Bend, Judy Steigler served on the Oregon Government Ethics Commission, a group that hears complaints filed against public officials on how they interact with other agencies and the public.

NewsChannel 21 sat down with Steigler on Monday to ask her if the GOP lawmakers who visited a topless bar would have violated any of the laws.

“No, I don’t think there is any ethics law they would have violated in that regard,” Steigler said.

Stiegler says the men didn’t even violate any House or Senate rules.

“There really isn’t anything substantive that can be done by either of the bodies with what we consider moral issues,” Steigler said.

The only thing that could happen: a House vote to censure them, something that’s not very likely to happen.

So really, Steigler says “it’s just a shame on you ordeal.”

“One thing that we were always cautioned about as a freshman legislator was, you are on 24/7,” Steigler said. “You are in the public spotlight, and that doesn’t turn off.”

The men did not use any taxpayer money at the club, and they were on vacation. But Steigler says that doesn’t matter.

“The public isn’t going to see that you are doing it on your time,”Steigler said. “It’s separate and apart what they see is your messing around on their dime, so to speak. You’re not taking your job seriously.”

And legislators don’t sign a morality pledge, either.

“Their contract is with the voters — that’s the contract you sign,” Steigler said.

Steigler says she’s not one to tell people what to do, but she does want to remind legislators they are under a microscope, especially in today’s social networking world.

“We need to be careful, and we need to be cognizant of that,” Steigler said. “I think that sometimes legislators just don’t get their arms wrapped around that concept.”

Stiegler says it will be up to the voters in the districts to ultimately decide if the lawmakers’ moral choices will cost them their seat in Salem.

She also says Cameron made the right decision by stepping down.