Legislative walkouts work in Oregon. They may not bring permanent victory. But they can halt the Legislature.
It’s easy to remember that Republicans recently walked out — in 2019, 2020 and 2021. Gov. Kate Brown criticized them.
“We were all elected by the voters to represent our communities, and to be the voice of our constituents in the capitol,†she said in 2020. “Republicans signed up for this. If they don’t like a bill, then they need to show up and change it, or show up and vote no.â€
Democrats have used them, too. House Democrats walked out in 2001 in a redistricting fight.
Brown said when she was the leader of the Senate Democrats in 2001 the action was “very appropriate under the circumstances.â€
“Under certain circumstances, it’s fair to say we would use all the tools available to us,†she added.
Walkouts are going to be on the ballot in November. A “yes†vote on so if a legislator has more than 10 unexcused absences they would be disqualified from holding office in the term following the current term.
Walkouts work in Oregon because the requirement is that the Legislature requires a two-thirds quorum to operate. Many states only require a simple majority. Legislators in Oregon can be “compelled†under the law to attend legislative floor sessions. It hasn’t really worked. Some lawmakers left the state to avoid being yanked back. And there is also no penalty under current law for unexcused absences. That’s what Measure 114 purports to solve by creating one.
We understand why Oregonians get frustrated with walkouts. We can also think of examples where Oregonians may agree with Brown in 2001 that a walkout might be appropriate under the circumstances.
Do we need a punishment for legislators after 10 days and is Measure 113 the right one? Or should we let voters decide if they want a legislator who walked out to represent them?
We think voters should decide. They already can. But how you vote on Measure 113 is up to you.
I think there is an inconsistency in an editorial zeitgeist that endorses nonpartisan County Commissioners while opposing penalties for walkouts.
Voters--especially Oregon voters--treasure open government and independent thinking in their elected representatives.
A walkout, almost by definition, involves ringleaders, plotting, and threats against law enforcement (as happened during the June 2019 walkout over the carbon-emissions bill). So much for open government.
Anyone who isn’t willfully naïve would expect pressure to be brought against legislators reluctant to participate in a walkout. So much for independence of thought.
And walkout participants--as this editorial shows--are all from a single party. So much for nonpartisanship.
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'Brown said when she was the leader of the Senate Democrats in 2001 the action was “very appropriate under the circumstances.â€'
But of course! With the obvious exception of our MAGA idiots, is there any American group more detestable than our politicians?
I think there is an inconsistency in an editorial zeitgeist that endorses nonpartisan County Commissioners while opposing penalties for walkouts.
Voters--especially Oregon voters--treasure open government and independent thinking in their elected representatives.
A walkout, almost by definition, involves ringleaders, plotting, and threats against law enforcement (as happened during the June 2019 walkout over the carbon-emissions bill). So much for open government.
Anyone who isn’t willfully naïve would expect pressure to be brought against legislators reluctant to participate in a walkout. So much for independence of thought.
And walkout participants--as this editorial shows--are all from a single party. So much for nonpartisanship.
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Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.