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| Ore. lawmaker selected to direct corrections |
| By Oregonian |
| Published: 12/22/2003 |
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Rep. Max Williams, a moderate Republican, was named last week to lead the Oregon Department of Corrections. Williams, a third-term legislator from Tigard, was appointed by Gov. Ted Kulongoski and is to start his new job in early January, if he is approved by the Senate. He will replace acting corrections director Mitch Morrow. Williams represents Tigard, King City, parts of eastern Washington County and a small part of Portland. He has served two terms as chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, which has jurisdiction over the Department of Corrections and many public safety issues. Williams has a reputation around the Capitol as a smart, articulate lawmaker who is unafraid to tackle broad issues, such as tax reform. Kulongoski praised him last week for his "breadth of experience, vision and managerial ability." But the governor's announcement drew a sharp rebuke from the state's leading victims-rights group, which said Williams is soft on crime. "We're stunned by this appointment," said Steve Doell, president of Crime Victims United. "This is a liberal Republican who has been an enemy of crime victims from the get-go." Williams is the third legislator Kulongoski has tapped this year for a state agency post. Last month, the governor named Sen. John Minnis, R-Wood Village, as director of the Department of Public Safety Standards and Practices. The governor also named Sen. Tony Corcoran, D-Cottage Grove, to take a spot on the state Employment Appeals Board. Williams' departure should increase Democrats' chances of taking his district, where registered Republicans hold a slim lead, although it likely won't tip the power balance in the chamber. The GOP controls the House 35-25. |
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