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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Our View: Cheers to RCC, jeers to juvenile justice ... Opinions mixed at marijuana town hall forum ... Rural Jackson County residents wary of pot 'gold rush' ... Our View: Cheers to RCC, jeers to juvenile justice ... Opinions mixed at marijuana town hall forum ... Rural Jackson County residents wary of pot 'gold rush' ... OUR VIEW Our View: Impeachment should be an option Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Apr. 17, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Apr. 17, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News Among the many proposals to beef up Oregon's ethics rules is one to create what many assumed already existed: an impeachment process. In fact, Oregon is the only state in the union whose constitution does not provide for the impeachment of a governor or other statewide elected official. House Joint Resolution 31 would give Oregonians the chance to change that through a constitutional amendment. Constitutional amendments in Oregon require a vote of the people. Amendments can be proposed by initiative petition or by a simple majority vote of the Legislature. We see no reason that Oregon should not have an impeachment process, which is in essence a means for the state to protect itself from a public official who has gone off the rails. We suspect this measure would easily pass if it's put to the public. The impetus for HJR 31 is of course the resignation of Gov. John Kitzhaber over allegations of influence peddling involving his fiancée, Cylvia Hayes. While it's not surprising that the resolution was introduced by a Republican, Rep. Jodi Hack of Salem, the measure has bipartisan support. Hack's two chief cosponsors are Minority Leader Mike McLane, R-Powell Butte, and Majority Leader Val Hoyle, D-Eugene. The measure would establish a process modeled generally after federal impeachment rules. Impeaching the governor or other statewide elected official would require a three-fifths vote of the House on grounds of "malfeasance in office, corruption, neglect of duty or other high crime or misdemeanor." The matter would then move to the Senate, which would hold a trial. Conviction would require a two-thirds vote of the upper chamber. One reason Oregon has no impeachment provision could be the general lack of corruption in state government over the years. In Kitzhaber's case, had the option existed, it likely wouldn't have been used as he resigned when the evidence began to mount that something had gone seriously awry. Even in states with more sordid histories, impeachment of governors has been relatively rare: Only seven governors have been removed from office following impeachment in the history of the United States, according to The Associated Press. Still, it is possible to imagine a situation in which a sitting governor or other official refused to step down in the face of alleged wrongdoing. Putting an impeachment process in the Oregon Constitution would provide some leverage to force that departure if necessary — and it would help restore some trust in state government even if it is never used. Lawmakers should approve HJR 31. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Apr. 17, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501