PORTLAND — As Oregon lawmakers prepare to return to the state Capitol next week for the 35-day legislative session, Republicans and Democrats have differing opinions on what that time should be used for.
While Republicans say traditionally the short legislative session is used to address budget fixes and technical issues from the previous year’s long session, Democrats say some larger items can’t wait.
“The short session is designed for budgetary and legislative fixes,” House Minority Leader Vikki Breese-Iverson said Tuesday during the annual Associated Press Legislative Preview. “Big issues. Again, were not meant to be brought forward in a monthlong session. But we’re already seeing some of those in committee agendas.”
While both parties are cautiously optimistic they can get along, especially as there have been significant leadership changes from the previous session, Breese-Iverson reiterated that “tools” are on the table, including walkouts.
“If we see highly partisan and complex bills being rushed through the Legislature in February, Republicans are prepared to use the tools necessary to protect Oregonians from even more negative consequences from the majority’s short-sighted policies and failed leadership,” Breese-Iverson said.
Although this is a short session — when compared to odd-numbered years, when sessions can last up to 160 days as the Legislature approves a two-year state budget for the next biennium — Democrats said this is the first short session since the beginning of the pandemic.
During that time span there have also been detrimental wildfires and deadly heatwaves.
“There are things that cannot wait two years in between the long sessions,” said House Majority Leader Julie Fahey. “The situation we’re in right now is exactly why we went to short sessions.”
Fahey’s sentiments were echoed by House speaker nominee Rep. Dan Rayfield.
“We are continuing to come out of a crisis. People across Oregon, I know even in my own family, are fatigued or tired but there’s still an immense amount of work to be done,” the Democrat said. “Short sessions work for this exact moment. We are fortunate to be in a point in time where you have these issues in our communities that we can see and we can be responsive to and we’re also fortunate to have the resources to be able to do that in this session.”
The division in Oregon’s legislative chambers has been seemingly expanding over the past few years — as the minority party says they are not being heard and Democrats argue Republicans are not willing to compromise.
Republicans have relied on delay tactics, specifically walkouts, halting action at the state Capitol in recent years.
Tensions, specifically in the House, were exacerbated during Oregon’s redistricting special session, which was marked by a broken deal, another Republican walkout and accusations of gerrymandering.
However, two months later, lawmakers came together for a special session to successfully pass a number of bills, including one to prevent thousands of evictions in Oregon.
One big difference during the upcoming legislative session, from the previous year, are major leadership changes.
Among the changes, Rayfield is likely to take control of the Oregon House, after being officially nominated by Democratic representatives for the post on Sunday. Rayfield will replace longtime Speaker Tina Kotek, who stepped down this month in order to focus on her campaign for governor.
House Majority Leader Barbara Smith Warner, D-Portland, also stepped down from the post Sunday. Taking her place will be Fahey of Eugene. In addition, Breese-Iverson is the new Oregon House Republican Caucus leader after Christine Drazan stepped down to run for governor.
