FuturePAC accuses House Republicans of taking $100k ‘payback’ from Reynolds America

The Oregon House Democrats political action committee, FuturePAC, accused Oregon House Republicans of taking a six-figure donation from tobacco giant Reynolds America in the waning days of the campaign as a payback for blocking legislation to raise the price of cigarettes.

Promote Oregon, the House Republicans PAC, received $100,000 from the tobacco group on Oct. 15, according to campaign finance reports from the secretary of state.

Now, FuturePAC is accusing Republicans of taking the money as a reward for promoting the tobacco group’s agenda by blocking 2007 legislation to raise the tax on cigarettes and use the money for children’s health care.

“Last session, House Democrats passed legislation to ban smoking in bars and restaurants. And we asked voters to raise the price of cigarettes to pay for health insurance for children. That issue went to the ballot only because House Republicans refused to increase tobacco prices during the session. Now, House Republicans are getting paid back for doing the bidding of big tobacco with this $100,000 contribution,” said Michele Rossolo, executive director of FuturePAC. “Future Pac has refused to accept any donations from Reynolds or any other tobacco company.”

House Republicans were quick to turn the accusation back on FuturePAC, saying that the House Democrats had received hundreds of thousands of donations from groups like the Oregon Education Association for promoting its agenda.

“This is a case of the pot calling the kettle black,” House Republicans spokesman Nick Smith said.

The cigarette tax legislation, which fell shy of the 36 votes needed to pass the Oregon House, was referred to voters in a ballot measure and defeated.