Former State Sen. Vicki Walker (D-Eugene) resigned her legislative seat earlier this year when Gov. Ted Kulongoski appointed her to chair the state Parole Board, a full-time position.
But in consultation with Kulongoski, Walker has decided to withdraw that nomination.
Walker explains that she would have been the fourth member on the Parole Board, a $97,000-a-year position that is not currently funded. The plan was to seek funding from the Legislature for that position in the interim. But the September revenue forecast, which showed a $180 million shortfall, made that funding highly unlikely.
Walker’s appointment was scheduled to come before the Senate next week. She says that was not a good idea.
“I feel uncomfortable putting my name in for a position that is not funded,” Walker told WW this morning
That leaves the former senator, who served in the legislature for 10 years, in a tough position because her Senate seat has been filled by former state Rep. Chris Edwards (D-Eugene).
Walker will stay on at the Parole Board temporarily to do the administrative work but at a reduced salary of $82,000. Whether she will ultimately join the board is unclear.
“I will continue to work with the Legislature on stable funding and a fourth board position,” she says.
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Tags: Oregon, Parole Board, Vicki Walker
Once again, Walker shows her integrity surpasses most others. I wish she would have been elected SOS.
Wow. Ted really must not like her, to create a position for her so she leaves public office and then get rid of that position? He must still be mad at her.
This is a political move. If DeFazio runs for Governor you can bet that Walker would run for his congressional seat. By resigning the position now. Walker gives herself time to explore a run and get a campaign going.
[...] state parole board. But shortly before a scheduled Senate confirmation hearing in September, Walker withdrew her name. That left her in a lower-salaried, temporary position at the Department of [...]