I’m an Oregonian and I love that you wrote about this. My state senator is ineligible to run again and here’s hoping we can flip the seat away from the GOP. 🤞
Same here, although mine has already announced his retirement. I wish they’d done a better job of wording the proposition, but I’m glad that the “clear intention of the voters” has triumphed in this case.
Yup! We got lucky this wasn’t decided differently…words do matter. The intent was clear thankfully, a lot of voting Oregonians are tired of the walkouts. Go and do your elected job!
I also think states should vote not to fund elected representatives who don't work for the group they represent. That should unfund a majority of the House of Representatives.
Interestingly, the constituents for many of the crazies in the House are more than happy that they are behaving as they are. These crazies are doing exactly what they were elected to do. 🤦🏻♀️
I live in Keizer and sadly have Kevin Mannix-R as Representative, and Kim Thatcher-R as Senator. Our District is more purple because of how our the District boundaries were drawn. There are just a bit more Rs to tip the scales of political representation toward Republicans. Let's hope the next general election will change that. I just wish the Republican Party would stop presenting MAGA candidates as viable alternatives to former more moderate candidates like Mark Hatfield (if you are old enough to remember him).
Oooh, can we have one for the US House of Representatives? Maybe based on the number of times you show pornographic pictures of Hunter Biden during an official hearing, even if you were told not to do so? Can we make that a thing?
The trouble with subjecting the MTG and Boebutt shenanigans to this result is that one runs into First Amendment issues. Until the Extremes decide that walking, like money, is a form of speech, it remains an action not covered by the First.
In place of working on substantive legislation, providing quality of life to the vast majority of American's, Republican's are pedaling cultural issues that divide our country. They wrap themselves in the cloak of Christian Nationalism believing they are taking the high ground on issues that the majority of Americans are not concerned about. Most people I know want to know how their government, and political leaders, enact legislation that creates a framework for economic stability, employment opportunities, fair wages, and taxation. There is one major political party that wants to do so but a former president, and his MAGA obstructionists, are determined to undermine any legislation that really matters, and makes the current president look competent. The border issue is the most current example of Republican obstruction. I just wonder when will Republicans grow a spine? Maybe it takes defeating the Big Liar a second time!
Honestly, I have to wonder whether they are too far gone. And have had too few consequences of their actions. They are following a rapist and a federal criminal who had compromised national security - who is walking free. Some of them had collaborated with him on trying to overturn the results of our election - and are also walking free. They do no work, give themselves vacations, take bribes, pitch fits on the job - and continue to get paid and receive their benefits. They spew the worst sort of lies and conspiracy theories - and people continue to vote for them.
Given all that - what reason do they have to change their approach? What would be the point? They are getting everything they want doing whatever they want - at least at present. The only consequences that are even remotely on the horizon for them are in the form of the election, but they either don't think that far or they are from such gerrymandered areas, they have nothing to fear. As long as this persists, these people are not going to change a damn thing about the way they do business.
We Oregonians can protest all we want, but not during business hours. What these legislators are doing is not protest but hijacking our representative institutions. We had much history of collaborative government here, and the republicans need to return to the the times when we got things done in Oregon.
How many people would keep their jobs if they did the same thing these Republican lawmakers did? So, why should they be allowed to shut down the business of the people? It's shameful and self serving. I say good reddens that they won't be back to Salem.
Thanks for bringing this to everyone's attention-I had no idea. WHY must these people act like 3rd graders when they cant get their way? Should the salaries of elected officials be directly tied into their performance (I have no idea how that would be done, but...) because pulling a stunt like that is a waste of time and taxpayer money. You're elected to do what the people want! NOT push a hateful agenda that clearly a majority of voters dont want. Oregon is better off without these imbeciles.
This would be amusing if applied to the House. Having just finished a historically inept and non-productive year, they'd likely go unpaid if their pay was based on getting laws (and the budget) passed . . .
As an Oregonian I admit that I’m conflicted. I’ve sometimes cheered for walkouts in red states, which leaves me in a somewhat ambiguous position. My state Senator is one of the ones who is retiring after being affected by this law, and I’m glad to see him go.
It was one reason I listed the time this happened in red states. Democrats have lodged their protests, often against anti-democratic rule changes, which stand in a different light than ordinary policy disagreements. The walk outs were symbolic, mostly; they did not result in actual prolonger paralysis of ordinary business.
Oregonian here. Glad this was upheld. If I didn’t show up for work for six weeks I would be fired after the first. Don’t see why the GOP thinks they get to be no-shows for a job they were essentially hired to do.
Democrats in the state have walked out too. So this isn’t just to punish the GOP. The same rules apply to the Dems. But I do love how our state conservatives think that something that everyone has to abide by is somehow restrictive to only them. It’s that “when equality feels like oppression, check your privilege” thing.
What if these no-shows weren't paid for any unexcused absence? That's what happens at all other businesses. Maybe they would stop their useless theatrics?
Oregonian here. Part of the problem is that we have a part-time legislature. The general session only meets every other year, something else we need to address in our state but outside this topic. In alternate years there can be special sessions called - and there usually are, although they are short - but what this means is that this isn’t always their only job. I don’t have a rundown of how many are working other jobs to pay the bills but it’s been common in the past. So cutting the paycheck may not get their attention the way taking away their right to play here was intended to do.
Your are right Terry. No employer would tolerate a six week absence for the reasons expressed by these Republican lawmakers. As an elected politician, compromise is the reality of public service. I spent 34 years of my working life filled with compromise in the public sector. Some of those decisions I did not agree with, but respected the decision. Isn't that democracy in action? Adults learn to express concerns in a respectful manner without having a tantrum and walking away from an issue. Too bad some of our elected officials chose to do the later. They need to listen to that Rolling Stones song that says, "You don't always get what your want, you get what you need." The people of Oregon deserve better.
I’m guessing that they aren’t getting fired bc their constituents keeping voting for them and/or their districts are gerrymandered as all get-out, possibly with GOP voting rule and polling place hijinks as a bonus.
In most cases it’s not gerrymandering here, it’s a genuine red/blue divide. Rural areas in Oregon are dark red even though at a state level we are reliably blue. The red districts tend to be geographically large but sparsely populated.
Those senators who’ve been affected by the ban have hand picked replacements who’ll have the voter edge next election in predominantly red districts. Rinse-repeat!
Yesterday, one of the losing R's said something like, "What do you expect from a court with all members appointed by Gov. Brown and Gov. Kotek -- two Democrats?" But since the last Republican governor of Oregon was elected in 1982, it would be hard to find anybody still on the bench appointed by a Republican. That's because generally, the Republican party runs such extremists for governor that nobody wants to vote for them. And when they do run a moderate, that person has had to move so far to the right to make it through the primaries that they are unelectable. The R's don't do a very good job of reading Oregonians.
Yes, the days of Senator Mark Hatfield, and my former governor Dan Evans—both democratic, common-sense Republicans—are long gone. Hopefully one day their party will regroup and return to the land of democracy-loving and living.
Yes! It's hard to explain to newcomers to Oregon how many of things that we value most about Oregon (land use planning, public beaches and the nation's first bottle bill) were all initiated by Republicans, and that the R's and D's in this state were pretty like-minded and had collegial relationships. As you say, maybe the R's will regroup and remember how much they really cared about good governance and good policy. Or maybe eastern Washington and eastern Oregon will succeed to Idaho.
You are right, of course, and I apologize for being so glib about it. I wish your fellow residents felt as you do, realizing that your roads, your schools and all your government services would miss Willamette Valley tax money. Good luck!
I'm left with the perception that the word compromise no longer applies to Republicans. Maybe Mom for Liberty, have been working overtime to remove the word compromise from dictionaries in Republican lawmakers bookcases.
The point is: Repugs want chaos. They want to subvert the PROCESS of democracy. Their Puppet Masters are seeking to overturn democracy—to wipe out the middle class. It’s outlined in The Shock Doctrine. They know WTF is needed for a solution, but they are not after solutions. They seek to obstruct, obfuscate and otherwise destroy the fabric of civil governance.
Right on Jay! Our Governor sent State Troopers after them once when they ran to Idaho!!! However, we need a good balance of Democrats and Republicans in our State houses for all voices to be heard. Just sayin'.
I agree that a balance of political representation would better serve all Oregonians. However, the Republican Party seems to support so many extremist candidates to run for office that any form of compromise is not even possible. I think things have to hit rock bottom with the GOP before they decide to change course. That would start by cutting off the head of the snake, so to speak, by defeating the Big Liar, aka Donald Trump in November. Use you vote for change.
They do support extremist candidates! However, they don’t think that they’re extremist and therein lies the problem. 2/3’rds of Oregon wants to secede and become part of Idaho. A reasonable and prudent gun control law that got passed, got overturned by a Harney County judge which is deeply Republican. I’ll vote my vote, and hope it makes all the difference. Let’s hope other people do also, and once and for all the Big Orange Face is put to rest. And when he loses… we should all brace for impact.
Thanks, Jay, for spotlighting this very interesting article about Oregon's walkout problem. Who knew?
I don't suppose the voters could have a special election to put an end to these members' shenanigans. Not saying the candidates need to be Democrats, just needing to be willing to govern.
Wish we could have something like that on the federal scale!
I think that ultimately ended well for US! Please keep up the momentum and not vote anymore GOP goons in behind them, or anywhere, for that matter. Vote 💙
It would be just grand if every one of those seats flips in the next election, even though they are in Republican districts. I think at least a couple of them will flip if there are enough disgusted voters. No matter where we look, Republicans are digging their own graves, and they just can’t stop doing it.
I get it, because I’m in the rural western end of Colorado and have suffered under Lauren Boebert‘s representation, along with 800,000 other people. But gratefully, she has done so much damage that she knows she cannot get reelected and is scurrying off to another Republican district that is way redder than mine.
"“But more importantly, we are deeply disturbed by the chilling impact this decision will have to crush dissent.”"
They can dissent all they want, they just have to be there in person.
Republican dissenters don't want discussion because that would bring their objections to light. The last thing they want is for voters to know exactly where they stand because they almost never stand for the voters but are the puppets of their big donors.
I can see a walkout as a symbolic gesture, to bring attention to the reasons for the dissent where it is clear that the majority party will bury those reasons during debate. Walkouts will always get headlines, whereas debates are often not even covered. But it should be BRIEF, aimed at getting the minority position in front of the public, which is what an informed public (yeah, right) needs to know to decide on who to support in the next election.
Glad to see the use of 10 days as the criteria. It allows publicizing dissent without stopping the whole legislature from doing its work.
I’m an Oregonian and I love that you wrote about this. My state senator is ineligible to run again and here’s hoping we can flip the seat away from the GOP. 🤞
Same here, although mine has already announced his retirement. I wish they’d done a better job of wording the proposition, but I’m glad that the “clear intention of the voters” has triumphed in this case.
Yup! We got lucky this wasn’t decided differently…words do matter. The intent was clear thankfully, a lot of voting Oregonians are tired of the walkouts. Go and do your elected job!
I also think states should vote not to fund elected representatives who don't work for the group they represent. That should unfund a majority of the House of Representatives.
Interestingly, the constituents for many of the crazies in the House are more than happy that they are behaving as they are. These crazies are doing exactly what they were elected to do. 🤦🏻♀️
I live in Keizer and sadly have Kevin Mannix-R as Representative, and Kim Thatcher-R as Senator. Our District is more purple because of how our the District boundaries were drawn. There are just a bit more Rs to tip the scales of political representation toward Republicans. Let's hope the next general election will change that. I just wish the Republican Party would stop presenting MAGA candidates as viable alternatives to former more moderate candidates like Mark Hatfield (if you are old enough to remember him).
That's why I voted for this measure. I'm tired of these shenanigans and want our elected officials to do their job.
Oooh, can we have one for the US House of Representatives? Maybe based on the number of times you show pornographic pictures of Hunter Biden during an official hearing, even if you were told not to do so? Can we make that a thing?
That should be a thing!
Or the times she exposed national secrets after she was told not too!
The trouble with subjecting the MTG and Boebutt shenanigans to this result is that one runs into First Amendment issues. Until the Extremes decide that walking, like money, is a form of speech, it remains an action not covered by the First.
In place of working on substantive legislation, providing quality of life to the vast majority of American's, Republican's are pedaling cultural issues that divide our country. They wrap themselves in the cloak of Christian Nationalism believing they are taking the high ground on issues that the majority of Americans are not concerned about. Most people I know want to know how their government, and political leaders, enact legislation that creates a framework for economic stability, employment opportunities, fair wages, and taxation. There is one major political party that wants to do so but a former president, and his MAGA obstructionists, are determined to undermine any legislation that really matters, and makes the current president look competent. The border issue is the most current example of Republican obstruction. I just wonder when will Republicans grow a spine? Maybe it takes defeating the Big Liar a second time!
Honestly, I have to wonder whether they are too far gone. And have had too few consequences of their actions. They are following a rapist and a federal criminal who had compromised national security - who is walking free. Some of them had collaborated with him on trying to overturn the results of our election - and are also walking free. They do no work, give themselves vacations, take bribes, pitch fits on the job - and continue to get paid and receive their benefits. They spew the worst sort of lies and conspiracy theories - and people continue to vote for them.
Given all that - what reason do they have to change their approach? What would be the point? They are getting everything they want doing whatever they want - at least at present. The only consequences that are even remotely on the horizon for them are in the form of the election, but they either don't think that far or they are from such gerrymandered areas, they have nothing to fear. As long as this persists, these people are not going to change a damn thing about the way they do business.
He must be defeated
We Oregonians can protest all we want, but not during business hours. What these legislators are doing is not protest but hijacking our representative institutions. We had much history of collaborative government here, and the republicans need to return to the the times when we got things done in Oregon.
I found myself wondering as I read this how extended absences for life events such as illnesses and such fits in.
They are excused. Walkouts are not excused.
How many people would keep their jobs if they did the same thing these Republican lawmakers did? So, why should they be allowed to shut down the business of the people? It's shameful and self serving. I say good reddens that they won't be back to Salem.
Thanks for bringing this to everyone's attention-I had no idea. WHY must these people act like 3rd graders when they cant get their way? Should the salaries of elected officials be directly tied into their performance (I have no idea how that would be done, but...) because pulling a stunt like that is a waste of time and taxpayer money. You're elected to do what the people want! NOT push a hateful agenda that clearly a majority of voters dont want. Oregon is better off without these imbeciles.
I love that you mentioned tying their performance to their salary….just like the rest of us!! BRAVO!!
I’m not exactly sure how it could be done but these people need to be held accountable! ✌️
This would be amusing if applied to the House. Having just finished a historically inept and non-productive year, they'd likely go unpaid if their pay was based on getting laws (and the budget) passed . . .
Right. And they have the nerve to act like they are important people when they’re slackers and opportunists. It’s maddening!
As an Oregonian I admit that I’m conflicted. I’ve sometimes cheered for walkouts in red states, which leaves me in a somewhat ambiguous position. My state Senator is one of the ones who is retiring after being affected by this law, and I’m glad to see him go.
It was one reason I listed the time this happened in red states. Democrats have lodged their protests, often against anti-democratic rule changes, which stand in a different light than ordinary policy disagreements. The walk outs were symbolic, mostly; they did not result in actual prolonger paralysis of ordinary business.
Oregonian here. Glad this was upheld. If I didn’t show up for work for six weeks I would be fired after the first. Don’t see why the GOP thinks they get to be no-shows for a job they were essentially hired to do.
Democrats in the state have walked out too. So this isn’t just to punish the GOP. The same rules apply to the Dems. But I do love how our state conservatives think that something that everyone has to abide by is somehow restrictive to only them. It’s that “when equality feels like oppression, check your privilege” thing.
What if these no-shows weren't paid for any unexcused absence? That's what happens at all other businesses. Maybe they would stop their useless theatrics?
Oregonian here. Part of the problem is that we have a part-time legislature. The general session only meets every other year, something else we need to address in our state but outside this topic. In alternate years there can be special sessions called - and there usually are, although they are short - but what this means is that this isn’t always their only job. I don’t have a rundown of how many are working other jobs to pay the bills but it’s been common in the past. So cutting the paycheck may not get their attention the way taking away their right to play here was intended to do.
Or if no-show for “x” number if days they have voluntarily resigned and an election is held to replace them?
Most of them would just be re-elected, sadly.
Your are right Terry. No employer would tolerate a six week absence for the reasons expressed by these Republican lawmakers. As an elected politician, compromise is the reality of public service. I spent 34 years of my working life filled with compromise in the public sector. Some of those decisions I did not agree with, but respected the decision. Isn't that democracy in action? Adults learn to express concerns in a respectful manner without having a tantrum and walking away from an issue. Too bad some of our elected officials chose to do the later. They need to listen to that Rolling Stones song that says, "You don't always get what your want, you get what you need." The people of Oregon deserve better.
Good for the voters of Oregon! These babies are paid to do a job. They’d get fired in any other industry.
Can we fire the US House Republicans for not doing their job?
"They'd get fired in any other industry." EXACTLY THIS.
I’m guessing that they aren’t getting fired bc their constituents keeping voting for them and/or their districts are gerrymandered as all get-out, possibly with GOP voting rule and polling place hijinks as a bonus.
In most cases it’s not gerrymandering here, it’s a genuine red/blue divide. Rural areas in Oregon are dark red even though at a state level we are reliably blue. The red districts tend to be geographically large but sparsely populated.
Those senators who’ve been affected by the ban have hand picked replacements who’ll have the voter edge next election in predominantly red districts. Rinse-repeat!
You fire members of the US House Republicans by voting them out of office.
Yesterday, one of the losing R's said something like, "What do you expect from a court with all members appointed by Gov. Brown and Gov. Kotek -- two Democrats?" But since the last Republican governor of Oregon was elected in 1982, it would be hard to find anybody still on the bench appointed by a Republican. That's because generally, the Republican party runs such extremists for governor that nobody wants to vote for them. And when they do run a moderate, that person has had to move so far to the right to make it through the primaries that they are unelectable. The R's don't do a very good job of reading Oregonians.
Yes, the days of Senator Mark Hatfield, and my former governor Dan Evans—both democratic, common-sense Republicans—are long gone. Hopefully one day their party will regroup and return to the land of democracy-loving and living.
Yes! It's hard to explain to newcomers to Oregon how many of things that we value most about Oregon (land use planning, public beaches and the nation's first bottle bill) were all initiated by Republicans, and that the R's and D's in this state were pretty like-minded and had collegial relationships. As you say, maybe the R's will regroup and remember how much they really cared about good governance and good policy. Or maybe eastern Washington and eastern Oregon will succeed to Idaho.
It's unconstitutional for states to redraw their borders. That said, when did MAGA care about the US Constitution?
As a resident of red Eastern Oregon, that’s not a desirable plan.
You are right, of course, and I apologize for being so glib about it. I wish your fellow residents felt as you do, realizing that your roads, your schools and all your government services would miss Willamette Valley tax money. Good luck!
I'm left with the perception that the word compromise no longer applies to Republicans. Maybe Mom for Liberty, have been working overtime to remove the word compromise from dictionaries in Republican lawmakers bookcases.
I was glad to see this upheld. This was a brilliant move and kudos to Oregonians for voting it in.
I just wish the drafters had had a bit more caution!
Perhaps republicans will realize they need to be part of the solution to problems; not cause more problems and solve nothing.
I'm not holding my breath.
The point is: Repugs want chaos. They want to subvert the PROCESS of democracy. Their Puppet Masters are seeking to overturn democracy—to wipe out the middle class. It’s outlined in The Shock Doctrine. They know WTF is needed for a solution, but they are not after solutions. They seek to obstruct, obfuscate and otherwise destroy the fabric of civil governance.
💙 President Biden would say, “Good luck in your senior year!” 💙
And THAT’S how to address obstruction and negligence from tantruming lawmakers seeking to subvert government operations!
If we really want to address it we need to change the quorum rules to a simple majority
Right on Jay! Our Governor sent State Troopers after them once when they ran to Idaho!!! However, we need a good balance of Democrats and Republicans in our State houses for all voices to be heard. Just sayin'.
I agree that a balance of political representation would better serve all Oregonians. However, the Republican Party seems to support so many extremist candidates to run for office that any form of compromise is not even possible. I think things have to hit rock bottom with the GOP before they decide to change course. That would start by cutting off the head of the snake, so to speak, by defeating the Big Liar, aka Donald Trump in November. Use you vote for change.
They do support extremist candidates! However, they don’t think that they’re extremist and therein lies the problem. 2/3’rds of Oregon wants to secede and become part of Idaho. A reasonable and prudent gun control law that got passed, got overturned by a Harney County judge which is deeply Republican. I’ll vote my vote, and hope it makes all the difference. Let’s hope other people do also, and once and for all the Big Orange Face is put to rest. And when he loses… we should all brace for impact.
Thanks, Jay, for spotlighting this very interesting article about Oregon's walkout problem. Who knew?
I don't suppose the voters could have a special election to put an end to these members' shenanigans. Not saying the candidates need to be Democrats, just needing to be willing to govern.
Wish we could have something like that on the federal scale!
I think that ultimately ended well for US! Please keep up the momentum and not vote anymore GOP goons in behind them, or anywhere, for that matter. Vote 💙
I f**king love this!
It would be just grand if every one of those seats flips in the next election, even though they are in Republican districts. I think at least a couple of them will flip if there are enough disgusted voters. No matter where we look, Republicans are digging their own graves, and they just can’t stop doing it.
We don't even have to give them shovels! They bring their own! LOL!
True!! 🤣😂
What I’d really love to flip is our election-denier federal House rep, but I don’t see much hope of that. Trump is big in rural Oregon.
I get it, because I’m in the rural western end of Colorado and have suffered under Lauren Boebert‘s representation, along with 800,000 other people. But gratefully, she has done so much damage that she knows she cannot get reelected and is scurrying off to another Republican district that is way redder than mine.
"“But more importantly, we are deeply disturbed by the chilling impact this decision will have to crush dissent.”"
They can dissent all they want, they just have to be there in person.
Republican dissenters don't want discussion because that would bring their objections to light. The last thing they want is for voters to know exactly where they stand because they almost never stand for the voters but are the puppets of their big donors.
I can see a walkout as a symbolic gesture, to bring attention to the reasons for the dissent where it is clear that the majority party will bury those reasons during debate. Walkouts will always get headlines, whereas debates are often not even covered. But it should be BRIEF, aimed at getting the minority position in front of the public, which is what an informed public (yeah, right) needs to know to decide on who to support in the next election.
Glad to see the use of 10 days as the criteria. It allows publicizing dissent without stopping the whole legislature from doing its work.
They don’t want dissent, they want veto power. Dissenting and being voted down due to being the minority “isn’t fair.”