 * “I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; And because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.”
—Helen Keller
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This week it’s more like “what’s sitting,” and the answer is “30 Senators in Salem.” We’ve had extra-long sessions on the Senate Floor all week—one lasted ten and one lasted twelve hours—and have passed precious few bills in the process. The minority party rolled out a stunning array of go-slow techniques, both old standards and innovations. Mostly it’s annoying, but there are moments when I kind of admire their creativity. If you come to Tuesday’s Town Hall I’ll clue you in on ways to burn up time you’ve never thought of.
The idea is to run down the clock between now and our mandatory adjournment date of June 25. In the old days (meaning my first two sessions here, 2019 and 2020), the minority party killed our legislation by walking out of the Capitol so that we couldn’t muster the 2/3 quorum needed to do business. Voters passed a ballot measure last fall that makes that harder to do, so the new tactic appears to be what amounts to an ongoing filibuster that strings together a variety of procedural tactics.
Making sure that we do take care of business is the purpose behind this new schedule of marathon floor sessions. Yesterday, Thursday, was the fourth one in a row—not much of a strain, since I normally go home for the weekends on Fridays. But if the stalling continues, we’ll sit in the vast Senate Chamber all day everyday if that’s what it takes to bring important bills to a vote. We may get cranky along the way—that’s already started— but we’ll do it.
AP Photo/Claire Rush
Unlike the walk-outs three and four years ago, this delay began on Day One, well in advance of divisive bills reaching the floor. But everyone knows what’s on the way:
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SB 611, updating the rent caps established in 2019 by SB 608. The new limit on rent increases in most cases would be 5% per year plus inflation, up to a maximum of 10%.
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SB 2002, strengthening reproductive rights and access to gender-affirming care, and
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SB 348 & HB 2005, gun safety measures that include part of last year’s Measure 114.
I won’t even try to predict the effect these bills will have on an already-strained environment. I’d like to hear your comments on any of them at this coming Tuesday’s Town Hall.
Hope to see you on the screen then—
 Senator Jeff Golden, Oregon Senate District 3
Yesterday Senate President Rob Wagner signed HCR 1, commemorating SOU’s 150th anniversary, with (standing from left) SOU Board of Trustees Chair Danny Santos, SOU President Rick Bailey and me
Here’s a set of news stories that covers much of the recent action.
OPB: As Oregon lawmakers near tense votes, delay tactics flourish in Salem - OPB
The Columbian: Oregon Legislature’s I-5 Bridge funding plan comes with cost cap of $6.3B
Baker City Herald: Republicans and Democrats in rift over Oregon Legislature's pace
Oregon Capital Chronicle: Oregon Senate passes expanded workers’ compensation bill
The Oregonian: Multnomah County to get $18.2 million in rapid homeless aid, Eugene area also scores big
Portland Tribune: Legislative budget hearing draws a crowd
KOIN: Bill targeting retail theft passes Oregon Senate, heads to House
Corvallis Advocate: OREGON FOOD ASSISTANCE BILL FOR UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS ADVANCES
Willamette Week: Democratic Lawmakers Want Oregon to Become Third State to Allow People Incarcerated for Felonies to Vote
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