January 28, 2022 3:00 a.m.

State Representative Mark Owens of Crane is introducing a bill during the upcoming legislative session that he said will restore the balance of power in Oregon’s government.

Owens said, “This is really about transparency and a balance of power”. Owens said, “Oregonians are growing tired of Governor Brown’s never-ending emergency and rule-making process that they don’t understand. We need to introduce sensible limits to the powers of the Governor’s office in our state”.

A release from the Oregon House Republican caucus said HJR206, introduced by Representative Owens with bicameral support, would refer to voters the option to vote to amend the Oregon Constitution to limit the Governor’s ability to declare an emergency or exercise powers under the declaration of emergency to only those granted by the law and for 30 days. The release said resolution “…would bring better balance to Oregon’s government which currently concentrates a large amount of authority in a single office”.

More about the legislation is linked: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2022R1/Measures/Overview/HJR206