This past week my schedule was busy building awareness around my resolution, HJR 18, and the other legislation mentioned below. HJR 18 would bring an end the Governor’s State of Emergency declared back on March 8, 2020.
Applying More Pressure
House Republicans made attempts to bring three bills to the House floor that would give Legislators greater oversight to the Governor's Emergency Powers.Two of the three motions received bipartisan support, but none received a majority vote to pass.
 On Tuesday State Representative Lewis (R-Silverton) made a motion to bring HB 2243 from the Committee on Rules to the House floor for debate and a vote. HB 2243 requires that declarations and extensions of states of emergency under certain statutes be accompanied by written explanations. 6 Democrats joined all Republican members in favor to make the Governor accountable to the Legislature. 28 Democrats voted against the motion, maintaining the Governor’s sole authority over COVID-19 and unchecked ability to shut down businesses. The motion did not pass.
 On Wednesday State Representative Zika (R-Redmond) motioned to bring HB 2713 to floor for debate. HB 2713 received bi-partisan support (all Republicans and a few Democrats) but was opposed and defeated by a partisan NO vote by Democrats.
 On Thursday, Representative Brock Smith (R-Port Orford) motioned to bring HB 3317 to the floor for a vote. HB 2317 received support from all Republicans but no Democrats and failed to reach a majority of members support to pass.
 Moreover on Thursday State Representative Breese-Iverson introduced HB 3399 which has bipartisan support in both the House and Senate. HB 3399 ensures access to full, in-person instruction for the 2021-2022 school year.
While other blue state legislatures, like New York, have already repealed several coronavirus-related executive orders, Oregon continues to blaze a trail in the opposite direction, all alone.
Trailblazer Star Speaks Out
Portland Trailblazer superstar Damian Lillard also entered the conversation with a tweet on Tuesday expressing his displeasure with the Governor’s strict lockdown policies. His tweet expressed frustration that the Moda Center in Portland was the only NBA venue which could not have in-person fans attend home games.
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Governor Moves Counties Back
A positive result of all this effort become known on Thursday, when the Governor reversed her position and moved 15 Counties slated for the Extreme Risk level back to High Risk. This means restaurants and retail shops can stay open (with limited capacity). Furthermore the Governor has finally stated a timeline to end her state of emergency by the end of June. The Portland Trailblazers are also now allowed to have fans attend their home games.
I will continue to champion the ideas that preserve liberty and free speech for all Oregonians, promote excellence in education for our children, ensure safety in our neighborhoods and help business not just survive, but thrive.
United we stand; divided we fall.
Best regards,
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 E. WERNER RESCHKE
State Representative, HD 56
Southern Klamath & Lake Counties
Capitol Phone
(503) 986-1456
Capitol Address
900 Court St. NE, H-384
Salem, OR 97301
Email
Rep.EWernerReschke@oregonlegislature.gov
Website
www.oregonlegislature.gov/reschke
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