SALEM, Ore. — An Oregon state senator was removed from all his committee assignments Friday because of “ongoing workplace issues.”
The Oregonian/OregonLive first reported Friday night that state Sen. Jeff Kruse, R-Roseburg, had lost his committee assignments, which is significant because that’s how lawmakers shape and amend bills.
Senate President Peter Courtney took the action against Kruse. The Oregonian/OregonLive suggested he did so because Kruse had been accused of inappropriate touching at the Capitol.
Kruse denied the allegations to the news outlet.
Courtney’s spokesman, Robin Maxey, said in a statement to KATU the Senate president stripped Kruse from his committee assignments because the senator had “failed to resolve” the "ongoing workplace issues."
Before he was booted from them, Kruse was on the following committees and task force: Education, Health Care, Judiciary, and Task Force on Health Care Cost Review.