Oregon's 2020 legislative session imploded Thursday amid a boycott by minority Republicans over a climate change measure, an action they have taken repeatedly and which Democrats say threatens democratic rule.In response, Gov. Kate Brown, a Democrat, is finalizing executive actions that will reduce Oregon’s greenhouse gas emissions, House Speaker Tina Kotek told the chamber as the session ended early. The GOP walkout resulted in not only the bill aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions being killed, but many other measures, including on gun control and housing for the homeless.
Frustration boiled into the open after Senate Republican Leader Herman Baertschiger, Jr., said his party would return on Sunday only to vote on emergency budget bills. At a news conference, Democratic lawmakers, some struggling to keep their composure, said representative democracy is at stake by repeated use of walkouts to deny a quorum and freeze all legislation.
“It's a historical precedent that I think shows us where we're headed and ... that anytime they are not happy with any sort of bill, our government is going to be shut down,” said Rep. Diego Hernandez, a Democrat from Portland.
Senate President Peter Courtney took the podium and responded to Baertschiger's offer by declaring the session over.
"All of us are going to be in history one day as the Legislature that failed the fifth short session,” Courtney said. This was the fifth short session since even-year 35-day sessions began in 2012.
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https://news.yahoo.com/oregon-gop-la...195038482.html
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