LOC News
The Senate Walkout Continues into Week Three
As of May 26, there are only three Senate Republicans and one Senate Independent who could file and run for office during the 2024 election cycle due to Measure 113, which passed in 2022 with 68% of the vote. The measure bars any legislator with more than 10 unexcused absences from running for re-election. Republican leadership is raising money to file a legal challenge to the constitutionality of the measure. Under the Oregon Constitution, the Senate requires that two-thirds of the chamber must be present to hold a floor session. This is a high standard, and is only in place in three other states in the U.S. The 46 other states have a simple majority as a standard for a quorum.
There have been several meetings in the last two weeks between Republican and Democratic leadership and Governor Kotek. None of the meetings have resulted in an agreement to have the absent legislators come back. As a result, there are more than 130 legislative bills that have yet to move through the Senate. A final budget has yet to be passed as well. There are several priorities that LOC is working on, including: committed funding for homeless programs in cities; the governor’s housing bill; sunset extensions for critical economic development incentive packages; broadband policy; and a funding commitment for the Interstate Bridge Replacement (IBR) project.
Republican legislators have stated they will come back to pass a budget, and some bills that are bipartisan in nature, but the LOC lobby team has yet to see what the expanded bill list includes. We also don’t know what’s next, because there are several scenarios. In the event the Senate cannot achieve a quorum and no budget is passed, state services will be funded through a continuing resolution until September 15. Prior to that date, the Legislature will have to convene to approve a budget in special session.
There’s no question several legislative bills remain stalled. For any key legislative priorities that remain for the LOC, they will be pushed to the 2024 short session.
Contact: Jim McCauley, Legislative Director - jmccauley@orcities.org
Last Updated 5/26/23