Salem is Closed: Short Session ends early with no compromise, hurting all Oregonians
/Each side blaming the other for the failures in Salem, further dividing the state
File Photo (Brian Gailey)
SALEM, Ore. - After eleven days of a bureaucratic stalemate in Salem, Democratic Leaders call for a closure of the 2020 Legislative Session, blaming the Republican walkout for making it impossible to do business.
Republican Walkout
On February 24, Republicans walked out of the capitol in protest of Republicans overusing the short session for complex legislation and for not being heard regarding partisan bills such as Cap and Trade. Ultimately, Republicans wanted to send Cap and Trade to the voters for approval. Earlier today, Republicans agreed to return to the capitol on Sunday, March 8, to vote on emergency budget bills, such as the flood relief for Eastern Oregon.
“The intent of the short session was to make budget adjustments, and that is what we expect to work on while being fiscally responsible with the hard-earned taxpayer dollars," said Senate Republican Leader Herman Baertschiger, Jr. (R-Grants Pass).
Democrat Response
Democratic leaders responded saying the Republican option was not good enough, that all bills needed a vote.
“This morning, the House and Senate Republican leaders put out statements saying they may finally return to the Capitol on Sunday for a one-day floor session, where they would get to cherry pick which bills live and die,” said Oregon House Speaker Tina Kotek (D-Portland).
Kotek continued, “Let me be clear: Every bill that has passed out of committee deserves a vote. I will not walk away from my obligation to every Oregonian that we must uphold the democratic process and the rule of law.”
Still without a compromise, Democratic Leaders from the Oregon House, Oregon Senate and Governor’s Office closed the 2020 Legislative Session early leaving hundreds of bills on the table including those that had bipartisan support.
House Closed for Business
“I’m so deeply disappointed today. It is clear that 21 Republican members will not come back with enough time to finish our work this session,” said Kotek in her closing remarks today.
Kotek continued, “The backlog of bills has become so large that we simply cannot complete our business in a democratic fashion. We don’t have time for floor debates. We can’t provide for the transparent process that is necessary for final votes.”
“Therefore, this session is functionally over,” said Kotek. “We will not reconvene on the House floor. Instead, we must pursue a different path to address the most urgent health and safety needs facing our state.”
Kotek continued, “On Monday, the Senate President [Peter Courtney, (D-Salem)] and I will convene a meeting of the Legislative Emergency Board. We intend to approve an emergency funding package for coronavirus response and flood disaster relief for the Umatilla Basin in Northeast Oregon. Thankfully, the Emergency Board will be able to allocate funds with or without Republicans. Just as we have done for the last 8 days, we will continue to do our jobs and do our best for the people of this state. We are not willing to walk away from Oregonians.”
House Republican Response on Closure
“Democratic leaders control the Governor’s office and hold supermajorities in both chambers. They have had near complete control of the Capitol for the better part of a decade,” said House Republican Leader Christine Drazan (R-Canby). “It’s time for them to look in the mirror and recognize that their approach to leadership is what led us to this day. I am shocked at the Speaker’s decision to end the session prematurely. We still had time to pass necessary funding items to address the needs of Oregonians across the state, but Democratic leaders chose to sacrifice these budget bills and shared priorities in the name of their no-compromise approach to cap-and-trade.”
Drazan continued, “The supermajority set the agenda for this session, they inexplicably refused to allow Oregonians to vote on cap-and-trade, and they own this failed outcome. Speaker Kotek’s unwillingness to work toward a bipartisan resolution on Sunday proves the lack of good faith effort on her part and further proves this session was rigged from the start. Democrats chose to punish their political opponents over serving the needs of Oregonians.”
Senate will adjourn until “Call of the President”
Following the closure of the House, Senate President Peter Courtney (D-Salem) did the same in the Oregon Senate effectively ending the 2020 Legislative Session.
“There’s no excuse for this behavior. This is absolutely revolting. I’m angry and I’m disappointed,” said Senate Majority Leader Ginny Burdick (D-Portland). “It is a great honor to serve in the State Capitol and act on behalf of Oregonians across the state. Republicans left Oregonians behind when they walked off the job. They should be ashamed. Oregonians deserve better.”
“I am proud of the Senate Democrats,” added Senator Burdick. “They are strong defenders of democracy in Oregon. They are loyal to the people of this state and they are loyal to this institution.”
Editor’s Note: Requests for statements from Rep. E. Werner Reschke (R-Klamath Falls) and Senator Dennis Linthicum (R-Klamath Falls) have gone unanswered. We will publish those comments as they become available.