Global Courant
There was an optimistic mood in the Oregon State Capitol that a boycott by Republican senators, which has been going on for six weeks, could soon end when GOP and Democratic leaders met to negotiate compromises on abortion, transgender healthcare bills and gun safety.
The strike, which began May 3, is the longest in the 163-year history of the Oregon legislature and reportedly the second longest of any U.S. state after Rhode Island.
This year, several state houses across the country, including Montana and Tennessee, were ideological battlegrounds. Oregon, which pioneered decriminalizing marijuana, encouraging recycling and protecting immigrants, is often seen as one of America’s most liberal states. But it also has very conservative rural areas.
Talks in Oregon to break the deadlock gained momentum as Republicans, led by Senate Minority Leader Senator Tim Knopp, began negotiating the controversial bills late last week.
“I don’t want to say anything to confuse the current state of affairs, but I will say that I’m optimistic right now,” Sen. Michael Dembrow, a Democrat from Portland, told voters in an email.
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The Republican strike, the sixth since 2019, has prevented a quorum in the Senate, frozen debates and floor votes on more than 100 bills. Oregon is one of only four states that require two-thirds of legislators to be present for the quorum instead of a majority. Four states require two-thirds of legislators to be present for the quorum.
On Wednesday, more than 40 members of the Oregon Democratic House and Senate supported a joint resolution proposing an amendment to the state constitution to require a majority of each chamber in the legislature to conduct business. If passed by the legislature, which seems unlikely given that there are only 11 days left in the current legislative session, it would go ahead of Oregon voters in a ballot in the 2024 election.
Oregon Senate Republican Leader Senator Tim Knopp sits between Senate Majority Leader Kate Lieber, left, and Democratic Senator Elizabeth Steiner, during a June 13, 2023, Senate Rules Committee hearing in Salem, Oregon. Republican senators have been boycotting Senate sessions since May 3, 2023 because of bills on abortion, gender care and gun control, but there is hope that the strike will end soon. (AP Photo/Andrew Selsky)
The 2023 legislative session must end no later than June 25, according to the state constitution. Bills on state budgets for the next two years should also be approved by the Senate and House by then. If not, Democratic Gov. Tina Kotek would convene a special session this summer to approve a biennial budget. She signed a resolution that will keep funding for government agencies at current levels until September.
In particular, Oregon Republicans oppose a provision in the measure on abortion and transgender health care that would allow doctors to perform abortions regardless of the patient’s age, with medical providers not required to notify a minor’s parents especially when this could endanger the child, such as in cases of incest.
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They also object to changes to a gun control measure that originally would have punished the manufacture or transfer of undetectable firearms with a maximum prison term of 10 years and a fine of $250,000, but was expanded to raise the purchase age to 21 for AR guns. 15s and similar types. of weapons, and provide for more limited concealed carry rights.
Connor Radnovich, spokesman for Senate President Rob Wagner, said talks continued behind closed doors on Wednesday.
“Talks are ongoing and it appears that both sides are hopeful that a deal can be reached,” Radnovich said.
In a conciliatory gesture, Wagner held open sessions in the Senate this week, but did not hold a roll call. That ensures that boycotting Republicans will not be fined $325 for each day a quorum is not met. The fines were set from June 5.
After GOP lawmakers boycotted the Oregon legislature in 2019, 2020 and 2021, voters passed a ballot measure by a nearly 70% margin last November to stop strikes. Legislators with 10 or more unauthorized absences would be disqualified from re-election in the next term, according to the measure’s title and summary.
Republican senators are expected to go to court if the Secretary of State’s Elections Department blocks them from registering as candidates in September.
The state with the longest strike is Rhode Island, according to a list by Ballotpedia.
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In 1924, Republican senators in New Hampshire fled to Rutland, Massachusetts and stayed away for six months, ending Democratic efforts to hold a popular referendum on holding a constitutional convention.
That self-imposed exile followed the detonation of a gas bomb in the Senate Chamber. Democrats and Republicans both accused each other of initiating it.
