Derrick Kitts

[June 1st, 2005] Forgive the Rogue's return visit to the Legislature, but this one can't be passed up.

Rep. Derrick Kitts (R-Hillsboro) loves go-carts, not to mention motorcycles and pocket bikes. And two weeks ago, Kitts showed that love by pushing a bill through the House that's remarkable even in this lackluster session. House Bill 3463, which now speeds to the Senate for consideration, would expand offerings at one Canby go-cart track, Pat's Acres.

In 2000, a Clackamas County hearings officer rejected a bid by track owner Chris Egger to let motorcycles race at the track.Kitts, who has been driving carts for 20 years, raced into action when he learned of the "outrage'' at his favorite track.

Kitts acknowledges that Egger is a friend and that he's got a keen interest in seeing the track thrive. "As a result of my hobby, I met some people who needed some help with government agencies," Kitts says. "I don't see anything wrong with that."

Kitts' obliviousnesss to public perception on this topic comes on top of other more serious concerns. In his campaign last fall, Kitts paid more than $14,000 to a consulting firm owned by his then-fiancée and more than $25,000 on an advertising firm that also employed him. Campaign finance rules permit such expenditures as long as they are arm's-length transactions.

Kitts says both companies provided legitimate services that he would have had to pay for anyway. "Why wouldn't I do business with a friend?" he asks.