Republican lawmakers in Oregon fled the Salem courthouse Thursday following a days of “fruitless” debate over a cap-and-trade bill, known colloquially as HB 2020.
By fleeing, the minority Republicans effectively blocked the Democratic legislators from being able to pass the bill, since there are were not enough members present in their absence to hold a vote. Oregon Gov. Kate Brown dispatched the state police to bring them back and force them to vote, but several Republicans had left the state by Thursday evening. The state police do not have jurisdiction beyond state lines to bring them back.
The bill in question, which would involve many layers of life-changing participation by all Oregonians, is designed to nearly eliminate Oregon’s fossil fuel use and drastically cut greenhouse gas emissions.
The bill outlines an aggressive plan that includes an incrementally lowering ‘cap’ on emissions. The goal of the bill is to lower than the level of emissions by 80% from where they were in 1990 by the year 2050. As part of the dramatic alterations, utility, industrial, and transportation sectors would have to further purchase ’emission allowances’ to account for their elevated levels of output. One of Oregon’s largest industries, logging, has been a particularly vocal opponent of HB 2020.
Republican lawmakers suggested and amendments package that included putting the bill to vote by the citizens of Oregon, rather than leaving it to the government, where they feel liberal political bias among lawmakers does not accurately represent the interest of the loggers and others.
In a Thursday press release, House Republicans stated, “After more than 8-hours of fruitless negotiations late into last night, the Democrats failed to offer a reset on House Bill 2020.” Senate Republican Leader Herman Baerschiger, Jr. further stated, “We have endured threats of arrest, fines, and pulling community project funds from the Governor, Senate President, and Majority Leader. We will not stand by and be bullied by the majority party any longer. Oregonians deserve better. It’s time for the majority party to consider all Oregonians – not just the ones in Portland.”
A post from the official Twitter account for Oregon Senate Republicans said, “Democrats enlisting the state police to find Senate R’s & are going to fine Senate R’s $500 per day starting tomorrow for walking out and standing up for Oregonians AGAINST #Hb2020.”
Democrats enlisting the state police to find Senate R’s & are going to fine Senate R’s $500 per day starting tomorrow for walking out and standing up for Oregonians AGAINST #Hb2020 #orpol #orleg #capkillsjobs
— Oregon Senate Republicans (@ORSenateRs) June 20, 2019
Oregon Senate Republicans walked out earlier this month over a school funding tax package. That standoff lasted for four days and resulted in the governor tabling some other legislation unpopular with Republicans such as gun control and vaccine requirements.
Thursday’s walkout was reminiscent of a similar event in Texas in 2003, in which minority Texas Democrats left Republicans over a bill that would redraw the lines of congressional districts. The Democrats fled the state, first to Oklahoma and then later to New Mexico where they remained for 46 days at a Marriott. The Democrats earned the nickname “Killer D’s” and “Texas Eleven” for their actions. Upon their return to Texas, despite their protests, the contested legislation passed.
