February 28, 2020 3:30 a.m.
On Thursday, Senate Republican Leader Herman Baertschiger of Grants Pass, sent a follow-up letter to Senate President Peter Courtney urging him to “return to the intent of the 35-day short session by focusing on budget adjustments and policy fixes”.
A release from the Oregon Senate Republicans said the Democrats have “ineffectively managed the legislative calendar by prioritizing cap and trade, forcing Senate Republicans to boycott”.
Baertschiger said lawmakers could have gotten all the budget items and more done, but accused Democrats of bringing the most divisive legislation up first, likely knowing a boycott would be the result. He said Republicans have suspended the rules to not read bills as a sign of dedication to getting the policy and budget bills through the process. According to the release, Baertschiger said he has told Senator Courtney that Republicans will come back with enough time to pass the bills that the short session was intended for, if cap and trade dies, or is referred to voters.