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Open Letter to Governor Kotek: Don’t Divert the Oregon Kicker — Audit Fraud, Waste & Abuse First

Open Letter to Governor Kotek: Don’t Divert the Oregon Kicker — Audit Fraud, Waste & Abuse First

Open Letter to Governor Kotek: Don’t Divert the Oregon Kicker — Audit Fraud, Waste & Abuse First

Publication Date: February 18, 2026

Author: Killian Yates — Bald Eagle Party

Reference Links (For Public Record)

To Governor Tina Kotek,

I am writing to strongly condemn the proposal to divert Oregon’s “kicker” funds away from taxpayers. The kicker exists for a reason: it is a constitutional guarantee that when the state collects more than it needs, that excess is returned to the people who earned it. Attempting to redirect those funds undermines public trust and shifts responsibility away from disciplined budgeting.

Before the state considers keeping a larger share of taxpayer money, it should first demonstrate that every dollar already entrusted to it is being used responsibly. Oregonians deserve a full and transparent accounting of how public funds are spent. That means prioritizing comprehensive audits to identify fraud, waste, and abuse across all agencies.

Start With Accountability: Audit the Waste Before Touching Taxpayer Refunds

This also means taking a hard look at discretionary spending that often escapes meaningful scrutiny—such as conference trips by public officials, travel-related expenses, administrative overhead, and other non-essential spending. If the state is serious about funding priorities, it should prove it can manage what it already has before asking taxpayers to surrender refunds.

There is a basic principle here: government should correct inefficiencies within its own operations before coming back to the public for more. If there are funding gaps in education or wildfire response, the first step should be ensuring that existing resources are being managed effectively, waste is eliminated, and spending is aligned with Oregon’s core responsibilities.

The Kicker Is Not “Extra” Money for the State

The kicker is not excess money for government—it is money that belongs to the people of Oregon. Maintaining that commitment reinforces accountability and ensures that government operates within its means instead of expanding first and justifying it later.

I urge you to focus on auditing state spending, eliminating fraud and waste, and restoring fiscal discipline before pursuing any changes that would reduce refunds to taxpayers.

Sincerely,

Killian Yates
Bald Eagle Party

This open letter is published for civic transparency and public record. Source links are provided above for verification.

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