Oregon Republican Leaders willing to return March 8, not enough for Democrats
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File photo (Brian Gailey)
SALEM, Ore. – Today, the Oregon Senate Republicans announce they are willing to return to the Capitol on Sunday, March 8 with the purpose to pass emergency budget bills but that is not enough according to Oregon House Speaker Tina Kotek .
“After a tumultuous session, Senate Republicans are willing to attend the Sunday floor session to pass emergency budget bills, for example, the relief for flood victims in Eastern Oregon,” said Senate Republican Leader Herman Baertschiger, Jr. (R-Grants Pass). “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."
“The House Republican Caucus broadly agrees with the funding priorities identified in yesterday’s press release from Speaker Kotek and President Courtney, said House Republican Leader, Christina Drazan (R-Canby). “House Republicans will provide a quorum and the rules suspensions necessary to pass these funding priorities on Sunday, March 8th, before the legislature is constitutionally required to adjourn.”
I response to the Republicans announcement, Oregon House Speaker Tina Kotek (D-Portland) provided the following response:
“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.
“Republicans from both chambers have walked off the job for two weeks of this five-week session. Their intentional absences have created an enormous backlog of bills, bills that will benefit Oregonians across the state.
“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.
“The only deal I will agree to is if Republicans in both chambers return and agree to take a floor vote on every bill that has earned support through the public process that governs our legislative body.”