April 29, 2021 3:20 a.m.

Senate Republicans say the Oregon State Legislature must reign in Governor Kate Brown’s power.

A release said on Tuesday, Governor Brown again “…flexed her unchecked power by re-imposing draconian, undemocratic lockdowns that threaten the livelihoods of tens of thousands of Oregonians”.

The release said in response, on Wednesday Senate Republicans refused to fast-track the passing of democratic legislation. It said that as this session has shown, the Constitutional requirement that legislation be read in its entirety is an important tool to encourage bipartisan collaboration. The release said Senate Republicans stand ready to work with Democrats “…to reform the Governor’s unchecked powers”.

Senate Republican Leader Fred Girod said “We are not obligated to let the Governor railroad Oregonians without accountability and transparency”. He said “Legislative Democrats have locked people out of their building, and are actively participating in the Governor’s efforts to lock working Oregonians out of their jobs”. Girod said with vaccinations ramping up, lawmakers should focus on lifting Oregonians up, “…not putting them out of work”.

The release said the Governor is moving to force thousands of Oregonians out of jobs, while other states and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention relax pandemic restrictions.

The release said the Governor’s logic is “mind-numbingly inconsistent and targets small business”. It said that according to Oregon Health Authority Data, current outbreaks in Oregon are not driven by restaurants or gyms. Yet over 1,000 restaurants and bars have permanently closed “due to the Governor’s unchecked power”.