Senator Ted Ferrioli responds to annual session bill

From State Sentaor Ted Ferrioli,

Salem, OR — Senate Republican Leader Ted Ferrioli (R-John Day) issued the following statement after the passage of SJR 41 in the Senate Rules Committee Monday morning:

“If the last two special sessions have been “˜trial runs’ for annual sessions, they have failed the test for the following reasons:
– Prohibition of minority reports in the House of Representatives in the first “˜trial run’
– Moved significant pieces of legislation without public hearings in both “˜trial runs’
– Limited public input by going to one hour hearing notices in week two of “˜trial run’
– Formed “˜work groups’ which excluded interested parties such as legislators serving in the minority
– Will limit not just time but the number of issues legislators will take up in the special session
– Institutionalizing a “hurry up” mentality, increasing the probability of unintended consequences
– Concentrating power not in the assembly, but in the majority party rulers
– Done nothing to increase transparency, accountability and inclusion

In summary, annual sessions appear to be nothing more than an opportunity to do great evil more often.”