Central Oregonian

McLane looking forward to new role as House Minority Leader

Rep. Mike McLane taking over role previously held by Bruce Hannah

Jason Chaney

November 19, 2012

After winning a second term as Oregon’s House District 55 Representative, Republican Mike McLane was elected again by his lawmaker peers to House Minority Leader.

“I’m excited and privileged to lead House Republicans into the next session,” he said of his selection.

During his first term, McLane was chosen to serve on the House’s budget-writing Ways and Means committee. He also wrote legislation to prevent the Oregon Department of Revenue from centrally assessing data centers like the Facebook data center, for taxation.

In his leadership role, McLane intends to focus on the same issues he trumpeted during his last term and recent election campaign.

“I’m going to continue to advocate for private-sector job growth in House District 55 and for all of Oregon,” he said. “I’m going to work toward more fiscal responsibility in the State’s budget, including reform of PERS (Public Employees Retirement System). I will continue to try to pass legislation that brings more balance in how Oregon approaches use of natural resources.”

McLane acknowledged that the position comes with a new level of influence in the House.

“It certainly puts me at the table in negotiation with the legislative leaders,” he said.

At the same time, he emphasized that he remains a member of a 60-person team and will do his best to work with Republicans and Democrats alike to achieve the best results for Oregon citizens.

“It does not elevate my bills or ideas to good ideas that will be passed,” he said. “My ideas will have to earn the consent of the majority of the House and the majority of the Senate, just like everyone else.”

When McLane first ran for office two years ago, he did not aspire to take a leadership role in the House. Nevertheless, he feels prepared to take the job on, and will rely on other lawmakers with leadership experience as he steps into the new position.

“I am not apprehensive that the tasks ahead will be overwhelming,” he said.

For McLane, the opportunity to take over as Minority Leader came because former House Co-Speaker Bruce Hanna (R-Roseburg) chose not to seek a leadership position for 2013.

“I was disappointed that Bruce Hanna decided to step back,” McLane said. “He was a great leader for us House Republicans.”

Hanna however expressed enthusiasm regarding McLane and the rest of the new leadership that will guide the House for the next two years.

“After serving over six years in various leadership positions, I look forward to handing the reins to the new team,” Hanna said. “I’m confident they will effectively lead our caucus into the next session and into the future.”