Sal Peralta and Rob Harris: Two-party system just isn’t working
Democracies fail when the institutions of government fail to address the major issues of the day or public confidence deteriorates to the point that governing becomes ...
Opinion: A way to solve legislative walkouts once and for all
Most every other state in the country requires only a simple majority of lawmakers be present in order to conduct legislative business, write Reps. David Gomberg and Khanh Pham. It's time that Oregon lower its quorum requirement as well and prevent legislative walkouts for good.
Democrats consider watering down abortion, gun safety bills in order to get Oregon Senate Republicans to return
After nearly 10 hours of negotiations over the weekend, top lawmakers arrived at a tentative framework for rescuing the 2023 session. Both sides stress a deal hasn't been made.
Kotek and key Democrat see possible end to Senate walkout
Gov. Tina Kotek and a top Senate Democrat are pointing to progress in talks that could bring the Senate back to session for the first time since May 3.
Oregon Capitol abuzz with talk of deal to end walkout, but no one’s sharing details
One thing that is clear is that hope for an end to the five-week walkout has been rekindled in recent days partly because of a friendship between two lawmakers: Senate Republican Leader Tim Knopp, R-Bend, and Sen. Kathleen Taylor, D-Portland.
Oregon Democratic senators say they will fine Republicans $325 a day for walkout
On Thursday, Senate Democrats did not say how they plan to bill their colleagues, what would happen if Republicans don’t pay nor where the money would go.
Kotek ends intervention in Senate walkout that threatens session
Gov. Tina Kotek says it is “not an option” for Republicans to demand Democratic abandonment or substantial revision of legislation ensuring access to abortion and gender-affirming health care in exchange
Boycotting Oregon senators believe loophole will allow them to win another term
Conservative lawmakers have hired a prominent attorney to argue that the wording of Ballot Measure 113 does not do what voters thought it did when they passed it last year.
Republicans’ walkout of Oregon Senate threatens to kill hundreds of bills
Despite Senate President Rob Wagner and Gov. Tina Kotek continuing to express hope that the session can be salvaged, some lawmakers and Capitol insiders say it is effectively over and are preparing to reconvene in a special session this summer to craft the two-year budget.
Senators in walkout can't file for office in September
Senators who are barred from re-election will not be allowed to file for re-election in 2024 when the window for candidates opens Sept. 14, according to the Oregon Secretary of