Senator Robinson calls Multnomah County's fuel lawsuit hypocritical, says OISM was wrongly named

Senator Robinson used the Senate's remonstrance period to criticize Multnomah County for suing hydrocarbon fuel suppliers, calling the county's $51,000,000,000 lawsuit hypocritical and saying the Oregon Institute of Science and Medicine (OISM) was wrongly added to the complaint.

Robinson said, “Multnomah County has sued their suppliers of hydrocarbon fuels, like gasoline, for more than $51,000,000,000.” He argued the legal theory amounts to blaming manufacturers for weather events and said the county is pursuing “misrepresentation of their product” while continuing to buy fuel from the same suppliers.

Robinson said OISM was not involved in the county's case and that he is directly connected to the institute: “I am vice president of OISM.” He told the Senate the institute has explained its noninvolvement to previous and current legislators and to the county's lawyers. Robinson also invoked free-speech protections, saying, “The first amendment protects free speech, the right of to petition the government, and the right of scientific expression.”

Robinson described the lawsuit as likely to fail and predicted legal costs, stating, “It will cost them 1,000,000 of dollars in attorney fees when they lose this ridiculous lawsuit.” He urged that taxpayer funds not be spent on what he called an irresponsible legal action.

No formal action or vote followed Robinson's remarks; they were presented during the remonstrances portion of the Senate session.