Oregon Public Broadcasting

A veteran Oregon lawmaker is stepping down to head the Oregon Parole Board.

Democratic State Senator Vicki Walker was appointed to the post by Governor Ted Kulongoski, the man she considered challenging for Governor in 2006.

In her role, sheíll chair a board which decides whether to release certain violent offenders.

Walker says during her 11 years in the Legislature, she focused on child abuse prevention, and making government more transparent.

Vicki Walker: "There's always more work to do, always.  I wake up everyday feeling like I want to save the world.  And I saved a little piece of it, and now it's just time to do something else."

Walker was known as one of the most outspoken state lawmakers.  She ran for Oregon Secretary of State last year but lost in the Democratic primary. 

She takes the reigns at the Parole Board starting Monday.

Online:

Oregon Board of Parole