Rumor: Republican walk-out?

By Oregon Campaign Watch,

House Republican Leader, Christine Drazan, addressed the issue of a possibility of a Republican walkout on OPB, “So I’ve always viewed the walkout as an expression of just the last resort, because it means that communications have broken down, negotiations have broken down. It means that the supermajorities are just running roughshod over Oregonians. So I take very seriously conversations around walkouts. I have led a walkout, and I absolutely believe that we had to do what we did at that time. This session, I believe that this tax bill is going to be oppressive to Oregonians, and I absolutely would support making sure that that measure could be referred to Oregonians should they pass it. So from my perspective, that would be a way to avoid a walkout, would be to have a conversation about letting Oregonians decide if they can afford this approach at this price point.“And certainly gun bills, session after session after session, we have measures come through this chamber that are not oriented toward data-driven best practices for what reduces gun violence in communities. And instead it ends up just being more restrictions on law abiding gun owners. That is a huge deal for us because we certainly support and defend access to people’s Second Amendment rights.“And so, those big issues that affect the vast majority of Oregonians deserve to be heard, and the approach from the supermajority needs to be responsive to both sides of the aisle, not just their own side of the aisle…“So a walkout is always a possibility, but it really is dependent on whether or not the supermajority recognizes the essential role that the minority voice has over the course of these next few weeks in moderating power…”  (read more).

Lawmakers are in the final 7 days of the 2025 Legislature.  Even a one-day walk-out would cause a significant disruption to the calendar timing of bills.

Stay tuned.