State Senator Akasha Lawrence Spence, D-Portland, was appointed last year to fill the remainder of Sen. Ginny Burdick’s term. She is not seeking a full term in the seat. But, that’s not the news. The Oregon Senate’s Conduct Committee rejected a complaint filed against the Portland Democrat that accused her of failing to declare a conflict of interest.
The complaint was filed by two Republican constituents that said she violated Senate rules. The complaint stated that the business she owns could potentially benefit from Senate Bill 1579. That bill creates a grant program for organizations that provide “culturally responsive services supporting economic stability, self-sufficiency, wealth building and economic equity among disadvantaged individuals, families, businesses, and communities.”
Senator Lawrence Spence has a company (Fifth Element LLC) that may be eligible to receive money from the fund. Her firm helps businesses find and purchase real estate. She responded saying that her company doesn’t specifically serve customers who are “disadvantaged,” as the bill requires.
Lawrence Spence’s company is a four profit organization. She said that her understanding of the grant fund is that it was created by the bill to be available only to nonprofits. The bill uses the word “organization,” but does not define it. She said that It never occurred to her that she had a conflict of interest, and therefore I never thought to file one,” she said.
A motion on the issue needed three votes to pass, the matter failed and the complaint is now considered dead. The Black lawmaker was facing a formal reprimand or expulsion had the complaint beed successful.
